Is You Can't Take it With You Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, You Can't Take it With You is likely a skip if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 96 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
You Can't Take it With You Review
Last updated: January 12, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1979, You Can't Take it With You emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy, TV Movie domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Emmy winner Jean Stapleton and Academy Award winner Art Carney star in the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy by George S. Unlike standard genre fare, You Can't Take it With You attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
The screenplay, appearing to prioritize narrative momentum and immediate impact, sets a stage where the stakes feel personal yet universal. Under the directorial eye of Paul Bogart, every scene is crafted to contribute to the atmospheric weight of the story, ensuring that the Comedy elements serve the larger narrative arc rather than just providing spectacle.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass in Character Study
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and You Can't Take it With You features a noteworthy lineup led by Jean Stapleton. Supported by the likes of Barry Bostwick and Blythe Danner, the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes. However, the sheer charisma of Jean Stapleton, Barry Bostwick, Blythe Danner manages to keep the audience invested through the film's more predictable sequences. In the broader context of 1979 cinema, these performances stand as a testament to the evolving standards of acting within the Comedy, TV Movie space.
Directorial Vision & Technical Craftsmanship
From a technical perspective, You Can't Take it With You is a marvel of 21st-century filmmaking. The cinematography, utilizing a moody and atmospheric color palette, significantly enhances the world-building aspects of the production. Each frame seems calculated to guide the viewer's emotional response, whether through wide, sweeping vistas or tight, claustrophobic close-ups that emphasize character isolation.
Technical Excellence: The production design and visual effects provide a solid foundation for the story, ensuring that the world of the film feels lived-in and authentic, even when the narrative logic falters. Furthermore, the sonic landscape—comprising both the score and sound design—adds a layer of subtextual narrative that rewards attentive viewers.
Narrative Pacing & Structural Integrity
The structure of You Can't Take it With You follows a sophisticated brisk pace. Over its 96 minute duration, the film manages to balance exposition with action in a way that remains consistently entertaining. The second act, often the most difficult to manage, serves here as a crucible for character growth, leading toward a climax that feels both inevitable and surprising.
Critically, the editing choices by the team help maintain a narrative tension that rarely wavers. The sharp, concise editing ensures that not a single frame is wasted, making the film ideal for a modern audience that values efficiency in storytelling.
Cultural Impact & Global Resonance
Beyond its immediate entertainment value, You Can't Take it With You resonates with contemporary social and cultural themes prevalent in the Comedy landscape of 2026. It addresses concepts such as the nature of heroism and personal legacy with a level of maturity that is often missing from major releases.
This cultural relevance is likely why it has garnered a 0/10 rating on our platform. Films like this bridge the gap between niche interest and global appeal, proving that stories rooted in specific human experiences can find a home with audiences worldwide, from the US and UK to India and beyond.
Plot Breakdown & Philosophical Subtext
Analyzing the plot deeper, You Can't Take it With You is more than just its synopsis. It is an inquiry into the boundaries of human experience. Emmy winner Jean Stapleton and Academy Award winner Art Carney star in the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart about a slightly daft family who do exactly as they please.
The philosophical underpinnings of the third act suggest a worldview that is standard for its genre yet executed with high professional polish. This is not just a commercial product; it is a piece of art that invites discussion long after the credits have finished rolling.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of You Can't Take it With You (1979) is overwhelmingly negative. With an audience rating of 0/10 and strong performance metrics in the Comedy, TV Movie categories, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Whether you choose to experience it for the stellar performances from Jean Stapleton, Barry Bostwick, Blythe Danner or the visual majesty of its technical execution, You Can't Take it With You is a significant contribution to the cinema of 1979. It represents the kind of filmmaking that movieMx is proud to champion—original, bold, and ultimately, deeply human.
Where to Watch You Can't Take it With You Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVParents Guide & Age Rating
You Can't Take it With You is rated NR.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 0/10, and global collection metrics, You Can't Take it With You stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1979 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is You Can't Take it With You movie hit or flop?
You Can't Take it With You is considered a flop based on audience ratings of 0/10 and lower collections.
Is You Can't Take it With You worth watching?
Based on the low rating of 0/10, You Can't Take it With You may not be worth watching unless you are a die-hard fan.
Where can I watch You Can't Take it With You online?
You Can't Take it With You may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
Explore More Verdicts
More with Jean Stapleton
View full filmography
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Is You Can't Take it With You movie hit or flop?
You Can't Take it With You is considered a flop based on audience ratings of 0/10 and lower collections.
Is You Can't Take it With You worth watching?
Based on the low rating of 0/10, You Can't Take it With You may not be worth watching unless you are a die-hard fan.
Where can I watch You Can't Take it With You online?
You Can't Take it With You may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
What is the story of You Can't Take it With You?
You Can't Take it With You is a Comedy, TV Movie movie that follows: Emmy winner Jean Stapleton and Academy Award winner Art Carney star in the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart about a slightly daft family who do exactly as they please....
Is You Can't Take it With You family friendly?
Yes, You Can't Take it With You is generally suitable for family viewing as it is a Comedy, TV Movie movie.
What language is You Can't Take it With You available in?
You Can't Take it With You is primarily available in its original language, with subtitles and dubbed versions available on various streaming services and digital stores.
Synopsis
Emmy winner Jean Stapleton and Academy Award winner Art Carney star in the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart about a slightly daft family who do exactly as they please.
Critic Reviews
No reviews found for this filter.