I found this a flat movie. Bob Osborne compared it to Life with Father, and that brought out the differences. In the latter, William Powell exaggerated "Father's" character to make it funny. In Apley, Ronald Coleman brings a humanity and understatedness to George Aply that, while perhaps more "realistic," undermined any possible humor. The same was true of most of the other performances. They were all well-acted - Coleman was always a fine actor - but if these characters aren't exaggerated, they aren't funny. And since they aren't interesting, that left them just flat and mildly boring.
Which describes the script.
I haven't read the novel. Perhaps it's funny. This movie was not.
Which describes the script.
I haven't read the novel. Perhaps it's funny. This movie was not.