DbcultAccessing Vault...
5.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Wrong Millionaire remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Okay, "The Wrong Millionaire" is one of those old Swedish comedies, kinda charming but definitely not for everyone. If you’re into gentle, slightly silly mistaken-identity stories from way back when, like 1930s style, you might get a kick out of it. Folks who need modern pacing or sharp, edgy humor? Oh, they'll probably be bored stiff, maybe even confused by the whole thing. It’s a niche watch, for sure.
The core idea, a rich guy swapping lives with his assistant, it’s not exactly groundbreaking. But back in its day, I bet it felt fresh enough.
Fridolf Johnson, our millionaire, he just looks tired. You can tell he wants out, wants a breather. And his secretary, oh my. The way he just *leaps* into the role of a wealthy man is actually pretty funny. It’s not subtle, not at all. He embraces it with both hands, maybe a bit too much. 😅
One thing that sticks out is the secretary’s immediate shift. He’s suddenly ordering people around, demanding things. There's this scene where he tries to play golf, and it's just pure chaos. Like, not just bad at golf, but *spectacularly* bad, swinging the club like it’s a broom. It feels less like acting rich and more like a kid in a candy store, completely overwhelmed but loving every second.
Meanwhile, Fridolf, our actual millionaire, he's just trying to enjoy some peace. He’s often just sitting around, looking a bit bewildered by the chaos he's unleashed. You almost forget he’s the main character sometimes, because the secretary just steals the show with his antics. The camera really loves watching the secretary make a fool of himself, or *think* he’s being suave.
The humor, it’s very much of its time. Think lots of physical comedy, exaggerated reactions. There’s a bit with a fancy dinner party where the secretary is trying to impress everyone. He fumbles a fork, then tries to cover it up by making a grand gesture, only to knock over a whole tray of glasses. It’s predictable, but still gets a chuckle. It’s that kind of gentle, almost *slapstick* vibe.
The women in the film, they're mostly there to be charmed or confused by the secretary. Annalisa Ericson, she’s got a bright spark to her, even in a role that’s a bit thin. She plays someone who is initially drawn to the "millionaire," but then starts to notice something... *off* about him. Her expressions, when she realizes things aren't quite adding up, are gold.
The pacing, well, it’s leisurely. Very leisurely. Some scenes just linger. Like, one shot of Fridolf just walking through a garden, thinking, goes on for a good 15 seconds. You just sit there, watching him walk. It's not boring, exactly, but it’s a stark reminder that films used to move at a very different clip. No rush, no need to cut quickly. 🚶♀️
There’s a part where the secretary gets into a silly argument with a servant. It escalates from a misunderstanding about a hat to a full-blown shouting match about who has more authority. The servant, played by someone like Ludde Juberg, just stands there with this *perfectly* deadpan expression. It’s a small moment, but it’s one of those things that stuck with me. The utter absurdity of it.
And the ending? It ties things up, of course. Everything resolves in a neat, tidy package, as these old films often do. You don't get any deep philosophical questions here. Just a nice, clean wrap-up to the whole mistaken identity business.
If you’re watching this, don't expect a masterpiece. Expect a slice of film history. A reminder of how comedy worked before everything got so fast and clever. It’s sweet, a little slow, and sometimes really charming in its simple way. Definitely a different feel from something like Stone Age Stunts, which is pure manic energy. This one, it’s more like a quiet afternoon tea. ☕
IMDb 7.3
1926
Community
Log in to comment.
