'My man Godfrey' wastes no time in catching our eye, treating us to inventive opening credits that come across as a precursor to modern Pixar wizardry - and then a grotesque, riotous spectacle of classism in which the title character gratifyingly drops the proverbial mike. With each scene to follow the screenplay presents a distinctly farcical scenario reminding of the electrifying satire of P. G. Wodehouse, filled with outstanding sharp wit and repartee, physical comedy, situational humor, and exaggerated characters and performances. There are a couple points where the resounding laughs briefly lets up so we can take a breather. Yet where this is true, the narrative instead advances with wonderful heart and sincerity - and all the while, it's built through and through with incredible intelligence and cleverness. This is a film that imparts life lessons just as much as it entertains, and the result is an absolute must-see.
Everyone in the cast is an absolute joy as they bring the picture to vibrant life. Mischa Auer, Eugene Pallette, Jean Dixon, Gail Patrick, and Alice Brady, among still others, embrace the utter absurdity of the fantastic and wildly energetic characters, dialogue, and scene writing. Moreover, with William Powell and especially Carole Lombard starring, it rather goes without saying that they handily take the spotlight, and manage it with aplomb. Lombard in particular leans wholly into the fraught, frivolous fancifulness of Irene, giving a bombastic display that lights up the imagination and cements her as one of the truly great comedic actresses of cinema. She above all - but certainly every actor among the assemblage - demonstrates vivid nuance, range, personality, and physicality in realizing the buffoonery, and I can't overstate what a blast it is to watch them all at play.
The focus in the writing, adapting Eric Hatch's novel, was most certainly on highlighting the abject silliness of the Bullock clan, and to that end it is a marvelous success. Yet there's also some gleefully pointed commentary and wisdom to enjoy along the way, rounding out the picture's jocular jest with very satisfying earnestness. Consider as well strong direction from Gregory La Cava, fetching work from the costumers and hair and makeup departments, and fine set design and decoration, and when all is said and done it very simply feels erroneous to call 'My man Godfrey' anything other than perfect.
To sing the praises of the film at greater length would begin to require discussion of specific jokes and plot points. All I can say is that I already had high expectations based on the cast alone, and still I walked away having been impressed. I can only give my highest, most enthusiastic recommendation of this to all viewers - it's superbly entertaining from start to finish, executed with excellence and flying colors in all aspects. More than 80 years later, 'My man Godfrey' remains an exemplar of fabulously slick, robust comedy, unquestionably besting the vast majority of other would-be romps in all the years since. Wherever you have the opportunity to watch this, you don't want to pass it up!
