Is My Family Is a Menagerie Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1968)

📖 The Core Premise

My Family Is a Menagerie stands as a 1968 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Adventure, Family, Drama landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "A young widow who has a way with animals moves to Northern California and is asked to care for the local strays. A wreck of a circus truck sets a menagerie of circus animals free, and she has to use all her wits to catch them. Only a leopard eludes her, and he is befriended by a local renegade dog. Eventually she is able to trap them and she trains them to be in her animal act."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Rex Allen attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Adventure. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is My Family Is a Menagerie worth your time? If you appreciate Adventure, Family, Drama films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, My Family Is a Menagerie misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 49 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.