Wow, every review I read in the mid '90s absolutely raved about this silent movie, calling it one of the best, if not THE best, of all silent movies. It's been called a "landmark in its era." Well, maybe so....but in this eras, this is a 104-minute silent soap opera that had very little to offer after a unique opening scene.
The movie began with the camera sweeping over buildings in New York City, then up one of the big structures, into a room and then to the desk of the main character of the movie, "Johnny Sims" (James Murray). Considering when this was made, kudos have to go out to photographer Cedric Gibbons and director King Vidor. There are some very nice shots in here.
I don't mind a story about a guy who doesn't want to be part of "the crowd," but in this case, he isn't aiming for high moral standards but more for social and material status, and blaming everyone else for his failures. When "Johnny" and his wife "Mary" (Eleanor Boardman ) don't attain that, and their marriage is pretty much a negative issue, the story becomes too much of a downer for me. It's not an appealing story, especially when you can't hear the dialog.
There are so many good, entertaining silent films, I can't see watching one that is depressing.
The movie began with the camera sweeping over buildings in New York City, then up one of the big structures, into a room and then to the desk of the main character of the movie, "Johnny Sims" (James Murray). Considering when this was made, kudos have to go out to photographer Cedric Gibbons and director King Vidor. There are some very nice shots in here.
I don't mind a story about a guy who doesn't want to be part of "the crowd," but in this case, he isn't aiming for high moral standards but more for social and material status, and blaming everyone else for his failures. When "Johnny" and his wife "Mary" (Eleanor Boardman ) don't attain that, and their marriage is pretty much a negative issue, the story becomes too much of a downer for me. It's not an appealing story, especially when you can't hear the dialog.
There are so many good, entertaining silent films, I can't see watching one that is depressing.