The Tiny One Makes It Big review: A weirdly charming mess

You should probably watch this if you're into weird folk tales that feel a bit clunky but somehow work. If you hate movies where the main character is kind of a dork and nothing makes logical sense, you'll probably want to skip it.

It’s a strange one for sure. Our main guy is just so small compared to everything else in the city.

The movie starts with him leaving his farm. The grass in the background looks almost too green, like they painted it right before the camera started rolling.

He gets to the city and everything is loud and grey. It reminds me a bit of the vibe in The Small Town Girl but way more chaotic.

There is this one scene where he tries to buy a hot dog. The vendor just looks at him like he’s an alien because he’s so tiny.

It’s funny for about ten seconds and then it just gets sad. I think the movie wanted me to feel bad for him, and it worked.

Then we meet the girl. She’s living in this apartment that looks like it’s held together by tape and hope.

She’s being followed by this demon. The demon looks like a guy in a very heavy velvet suit with some weird glitter on his face.

It doesn't look scary at all. In fact, it looks like he’s having trouble breathing through the mask.

But the tiny guy doesn't care. He decides he's her bodyguard immediately.

There’s no real reason why he likes her so much. They barely talk. He just sees the demon and goes "Nope, not today."

The fight scenes are where it gets really bizarre. He’s so small he has to climb up the demon's leg like it’s a tree.

I swear I saw the actor playing the demon almost trip over a rug during the big showdown. They kept that take in for some reason.

It has that same sort of energetic but messy feeling you get in Billy Blazes, Esq.. Just people running around and hoping for the best.

The lighting in the alleyways is super dark. I couldn't tell if it was for atmosphere or if they just didn't have enough lamps.

One shot lingers on a discarded sandwich for like 15 seconds. Why? I have no idea.

Maybe it’s a metaphor. Or maybe the cameraman just liked the look of the mayo.

The music is also way too loud. It’s this booming orchestral stuff that feels like it belongs in Robin Hood instead of a movie about a tiny guy in a dirty city.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of The Tiny One Makes It Big (1929) through its definitive frames.

But then there are these quiet moments. Like when they are sitting on the fire escape and looking at the moon.

The tiny guy talks about his mom’s cooking. It feels real. Not like a script, just like a guy rambling because he’s nervous.

I noticed that the girl’s hair changes color slightly between two scenes. It’s a small thing, but once you see it, you can't unsee it.

The demon eventually gets defeated by... well, I won't spoil it. But it involves a bucket of water and a lot of screaming.

It’s very silly. Like, really silly.

It reminded me of the physical comedy in Double Whoopee. Just pure slapstick disguised as a horror movie.

The ending is kind of abrupt. They walk off into the sunset, but they’re in a city, so they’re really just walking toward a brick wall.

I think the movie ran out of money. Or maybe they just thought that was a good place to stop.

Is it a masterpiece? No way.

But I liked it more than I expected. It’s got this earnest quality that you don't see much anymore.

It feels like someone’s weird dream they decided to film. And I respect that.

I caught myself smiling during the part where he uses a spoon as a shield. It’s just so dumb but he looks so serious about it.

The actress playing the girl has this one reaction shot that lasts forever. She just looks confused, and honestly, I was right there with her.

If you’re looking for something that makes sense, go watch Davy Crockett or something.

But if you want to see a tiny man fight a velvet demon with a kitchen utensil, this is your movie. 🍿

I still think about that sandwich shot. It was a very well-made sandwich for a movie prop.

Anyway, it's worth a watch on a rainy Tuesday. Just don't expect it to change your life.

It’s just a small story about a small guy. And sometimes that's enough.