When New York socialite Irene Bullock needs a “forgotten man” to win a scavenger hunt, she finds Godfrey Park, a homeless man who resides in a dump by the East River. Irene hires Godfrey as her dysfunctional family’s new butler, much to the chagrin of her spoiled sister, Cornelia, who tries her best to get Godfrey fired.
My Man Godfrey is a romantic comedy that’s often on lists of the best rom-coms of all time. Since this was my first time seeing it, I can see why it’s so beloved, even ninety years later. It’s a charming movie with strong chemistry between its two leads. I suppose that’s to be expected, as William Powell (Godfrey) and Carole Lombard (Irene) were married for a few years prior to making this movie.
For me, the bright spot is William Powell, whose dry wit and intelligence give the film its strongest spark. He’s excellent as Godfrey, and his performance is the perfect contrast to the Bullock family’s dysfunction. Lombard’s impulsive and eccentric Irene drives much of the film’s comedy, though Alice Brady is a close second as Irene’s ditsy mother, Angelica.
My Man Godfrey is a screwball comedy through and through, but it also weaves social commentary on class inequality and the Great Depression into its otherwise lighthearted narrative. In addition, there’s more to Godfrey than just finding his footing after being taken in by the Bullocks, and I think that character arc is necessary for the story and the romance to work.
That said, not every joke lands today, and pacing is a bit tedious compared to the sharper screwball comedies of the era. In my opinion, a few of the supporting characters are intentionally exaggerated, but their constant antics can become a little tiring. Lombard’s performance is wonderful, but the character of Irene herself needed quite a bit of maturing, but sadly her character isn’t developed all that much throughout the course of the film.
The romance between Irene and Godfrey is sweet, though it occasionally relies on the somewhat unbelievable developments common in 1930s Hollywood films. At times, I wondered when Godfrey actually fell for Irene – or if she just bulldozed her way into his life without giving him much of a say. But Powell and Lombard’s chemistry is strong enough that, ultimately, I suppose it doesn’t really matter.
Despite its flaws, My Man Godfrey is still an entertaining rom-com with some memorable performances and a surprisingly thoughtful message. Overall, it’s easy to see why it became a classic, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the very best films from Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Watched: 06/19/2026
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