This is a Buster Keaton comedy film from 1921 that runs for 22 minutes. It is obviously still black-and-white and silent as it was common for that era. I basically think this could have been more interesting if we had seen Buster try suicide unsuccessfully from start to finish here, but unfortunately it's only the very first and very last scene and everything in-between is not really memorable including the ways in which Keaton goes up against several animals (fish, horses, bears). Virginia Fox and Joe Roberts are on board again as in so many Keaton movies, but their roles are fairly forgettable here. It's a single Buster show, even more than usual and it's not that great to watch. I personally prefer if the supporting character also have good story lines and interact more with the lead character. The wild shooting scene with Roberts' character could not save it either. Edward F. Cline co-wrote and co-directed this film with Keaton once again. The idea of suicide in this movie is among one of the factors that made Buster's characters always look more depressed and sad than the one of Chaplin and Lloyd for example. All in all, not among Stoneface's best. Not recommended.
Review of Hard Luck
