When this film (which, sadly, proved to be Larry Semon's last) was first released (February, 1928) critics grumbled that it was ten years behind the times. Seen today, however, it's still a lively and very funny slapstick comedy. Among connoisseurs of silent film comedy it's generally agreed that Semon's brief but impressive career got off the track because he didn't change with the times, but while it's true that too many Semon films seen too close together do show some repetitiveness, when viewed separately by modern audiences Semon's silent comedies can hold their own against those of any other silent comedian.
Review of A Simple Sap
