Review of Problem Child 2 (1991) by Peter B — 27 Feb 2010

This poignant, complex tale of betrayal and redemption reveals a disgusting snobbery in the world of film criticism. That the mainstream critics wilfully ignored the obvious parallels with the great Roman satirical play, The Rope, is a testament to their staggering ignorance of film.

I believe it was Armond White who said "film critics today don't know about or care about the subject". What better example than their rejection of perhaps the greatest American satire (in my opinion, even greater) since Dr Strangelove? Obviously the washing machine is a symbol for the fractured and incomplete manner in which man is doomed to perceive the universe, and this lofty theme is dealt with in a more subtle and brilliant way than Orson Welles' ham-handed treatment of The Trial.

If you like movies that will make you think about your existence, where every single frame contains new symbols to be analyzed, where every line of dialogue reveals potent truths about the nature of the universe, this underrated classic will not disappoint.