The Love Bug

If you are after a comedy that actually makes you laugh out loud, The Love Bug is available in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Disney Plus right now. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 652 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Dean Jones leads a cast with real comic timing. Put it on tonight on Disney Plus and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, The Love Bug is worth clearing space for. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate The Love Bug from the crowd. Down-on-his-luck race car driver Jim Douglas teams up with a little VW Bug that has a mind of its own, not realizing Herbie's worth until a sneaky rival plots to steal him. Dean Jones and Michele Lee lead a cast with the timing to make it work. It was released in 1968. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and The Love Bug holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

The Love Bug is the kind of thing you put on in the background and end up fully watching. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Dean Jones's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.