The Perfect Gentleman: A Vicar, A Scandal, and A Headache

Should you watch The Perfect Gentleman? If you’re the type of person who finds mild social anxiety in old movies charming, sure. If you need explosions or a plot that moves faster than a slow walk through a garden, you’re going to be checking your watch by the twenty-minute mark.

It’s really a story about how much one guy—the dad—can ruin a reputation just by breathing. He’s the kind of character who walks into a room and you just know something is going to break. Or at least someone is going to start shouting.

The vicar is played with such stiff shoulders that I started getting a cramp just looking at him. He’s trying so hard to keep his life perfect that he misses the point of actually living it, which is the whole setup. Classic stuff, really.

There is this one scene where the actress shows up and the room just feels... crowded. Not because of people, but because of the sheer amount of personality she’s throwing around compared to everyone else. It’s like watching a neon sign blink in a library.

Speaking of old movies, it reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in Bringing Up Father, but with more tea and less slapstick. The pacing is a bit weird, though. It feels like it wants to be a farce, but then it stops to let everyone talk for way too long. It’s like the movie keeps forgetting it has a punchline coming.

I found myself staring at the background extras during the church scenes. Some of them look like they’re trying not to laugh, which is honestly the most relatable part of the whole film. 🎭

The writing is sharp in spots, but it doesn't always land. Sometimes a joke just hangs in the air for a second too long, like a guest who doesn't know when to leave the party. It’s not bad, just a little dusty.

Is it a masterpiece? No. Does it need to be? Probably not. It’s just a nice way to kill an hour if you don't mind a bit of polite chaos. Honestly, watching these people get embarrassed is kind of fun in a weird, voyeuristic way. Just don't go in expecting to have your life changed.

Quick notes from the couch:

• The dad's mustache is a character all its own.
• The vicar’s house looks like it hasn’t seen a speck of dust in fifty years.
• I really wanted someone to just tell the vicar to go get a drink already.
• Some of the dialogue is so fast I had to rewind twice to catch the insults.