Tuesday, March 27, 2018

My Man Godfrey (1936) REVIEW 10/10


An excellent screwball comedy with a sane & socially conscious message. There was a part in the middle when I couldn’t stop laughing. 

Godfrey himself states the theme and I quote “The only difference between a man and a derelict is a job." 

Watch this one even if you don’t like old movies.  At least you can say you tried to understand and it’s a classic – none of your friends will know who William Powell or Carole Lombard are, but you will know and that is enough.    

Godfrey shows us that connection and unity can only occur when both parties want it.  A nation or a family is only as good as its people.  Tolerance can only apply to non-moral issues.  Old timers knew this.  ‘Tolerance for sin’ is never okay and can be defined as the virtue of a people with no convictions.  We need to stay focused on good and evil not what people like or want or feel.  Godfrey shows them all relationships personal and professional must all based on trust & integrity.  Any nation or state where more people are leaving than staying has major problems and they won’t fix themselves. Godfrey teaches us evil wins when good men do nothing or whatever they feel like.

William Powell is the focus character -- Godfrey.  A hobo-turned-butler, bringing common sense to a dysfunctional rich family.  Carole Lombard as Irene is a spoiled socialite who only pretends to enjoy her wealth but relates better to ordinary folks.  Godfrey's humility rubs off on Irene and ultimately frees her from her illusion of happiness to something true & meaningful. `My Man Godfrey' has no mercy on the aristocracy of the 1930's, skewing it as socially incompetent and morally bankrupt. `All you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of people.' How terribly true.  That’s not politically correct, but its true. Back then poverty due to a lack of jobs was rampant.  In many ways our society today is even crazier & empty inside than in this movie and we can’t see it.  It’s the old saying you can't see the forest for the trees.  The solution is not removing God from the public sector and giving everyone a trophy for just showing up.  Nor is it forcing a bakery out of business because he won’t bake a cake. Tolerance goes both ways -- it’s a thin pancake that doesn’t have two sides.  Destruction of property and violent protests due to a speaker being invited to your university who doesn’t agree with popular beliefs until the invitation is canceled is not tolerance – it’s downright hateful and brutish – many social causes of 2018 the minorities have become the bully’s & the haters. Godfrey would work hard & peacefully and like a gentleman to secure change without complaining.  Freedom has made us weak and pitiful creatures.  Victory has defeated America.  With men like Godfrey we can turn it around.

We are shown a homeless forgotten man (Godfrey) who comes in contact with a couple of rich girls out on a scavenger hunt. Little do they know he will change their lives forever.

Enjoy.

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