Is The King Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1930)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of The King (1930), audiences are invited back into the world of Comedy. 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. "The king is a juvenile dolt who tries the patience of the shrewish queen. While she's in the throne room awaiting him, he's outside playing with guns, drilling his soldiers, and dallying with the wife of a new minister. The queen catches him kissing her, her husband figures out that something fishy is going on, and the king tries his best to proceed with his plans for a night out. The queen contrives to keep him cuffed in the bedroom: king, queen, minister, and coquette end up in a game of musical beds. Will his royal highness get his night out?"

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Harry Langdon 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 Comedy. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The King worth your time? If you appreciate Comedy 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, The King misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 20 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.