Walking on Air: A screwball comedy that mostly just floats by

Is it worth your time?

If you have a soft spot for pre-war screwball nonsense where everyone talks way too fast and nobody behaves like a real human being, you might get a kick out of Walking on Air. It’s light as a feather, which is either a compliment or a massive insult depending on your mood. If you hate old-fashioned theatrical acting or plots that rely on a single lie to keep going for 90 minutes, stay far away.

Ann Sothern is the whole reason to tune in, honestly. She’s got this sharp, snappy energy that makes the rest of the cast look like they’re moving through mud. She carries the whole scheme on her shoulders while everyone else just kind of hangs around waiting for their next cue.

The plot is… well, it’s a plot.

The whole thing hinges on this ridiculous idea of hiring a fake boyfriend to annoy your dad. It reminded me a bit of the frantic, slightly forced energy in Every Night at Eight. The movie feels like it’s constantly trying to convince you that this is high-stakes drama, but let’s be real—it’s just people shouting in living rooms.

• The pacing is weird.
• Sometimes a scene ends before it even feels like it started.
• Other times, characters just talk, and talk, and talk.

There’s a moment where the 'fake' suitor is supposed to be insufferable, but he just comes off as kind of sad? It’s not quite the comedic gold they were aiming for. I found myself checking my watch, wondering why they didn’t just cut to the chase and get to the inevitable wedding scene.

The sets look like they were built for a play rather than a movie, which gives it this odd, dusty vibe. It’s not necessarily bad, just very contained. You never really feel like these people exist outside of the rooms they’re standing in. It’s like they just materialize whenever the camera clicks on. 🎬

I can’t say it’s deep, or profound, or even particularly smart. It’s just a thing that happens on screen for an hour and a half. If you’re looking for something to watch while folding laundry, this is your winner. If you’re looking for a masterpiece, maybe go watch something more grounded like Hedda Gabler instead.

Ultimately, it’s a perfectly fine, slightly dusty relic. Just don’t expect it to change your life or anything.