The Beverly Hillbillies

The Beverly Hillbillies is currently streaming on Disney Plus, and it delivers exactly the kind of comedy that earns a loyal following. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Jim Varney's performance alone is worth the time investment. Put it on tonight on Disney Plus and see for yourself.

The Beverly Hillbillies is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The jokes in The Beverly Hillbillies land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Mild-mannered dirt-poor hill-dweller Jed Clampett strikes it rich when oil is discovered on his property. At cousin Pearl's insistence, he moves his family to Beverly Hills to better enjoy his newfound wealth. Jim Varney and Diedrich Bader lead a cast that never overplays a joke. The Beverly Hillbillies came out in 1993. The timing in The Beverly Hillbillies is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, The Beverly Hillbillies is a strong candidate. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Jim Varney's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.