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6.5/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.5/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Too Many Parents remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you're a fan of those old 1930s dramas that don't shy away from being a bit depressing, you’ll probably find something here to chew on. But if you're looking for a lighthearted romp or something with snappy pacing, stay away. It’s a bit of a heavy lift for what looks like a standard boarding school flick.
The whole premise is honestly kind of sad. We see these rich kids whose parents basically pay people to raise them so they can get back to their dinner parties and trips. It’s the kind of movie that makes you feel like you need to go hug someone.
The moment where Philip starts faking letters from his dad? It hit me harder than I expected. You can see the kid just desperate for a crumb of attention. It’s not subtle, but it works because George Ernest plays it with this quiet, hollow look in his eyes that feels really raw.
When the truth comes out and he tries to take his own life, the movie gets surprisingly dark for its time. It doesn't treat the moment like a throwaway plot point. It just sits there, ugly and quiet.
It’s not as slick as The Mark of Zorro, obviously, but it has a different kind of intensity. It’s less about action and more about the quiet, stinging feeling of being forgotten by your own family.
Honestly, the pacing drags a bit in the middle. There’s a lot of walking around in uniforms and talking about discipline that feels like filler. But then it snaps back into focus when the emotional stuff hits. It’s uneven, sure. But it’s real.
I left the screen feeling a bit drained. It’s not a movie I’d rewatch on a Sunday for fun, but I’m glad I actually sat through it. Some stories from this era really catch you off guard with how much they understood about being lonely. 🏚️
