Yes, melodrama is a completely respectable art form! Give yourself over to the art of this genre and be aware of how genuinely brave it was for the time in which it was made. Far braver than current lukewarm films such as 'The Help'. Aside from the disturbingly dated concept that a woman should give up her career in order to find marital happiness, there is little to complain about in this film. Beautiful to look at, honestly emotional, and for the most part very well acted. The opening song and credits are lovely too and set the mood for the whole. While you are at it, look for more of Douglas Sirk's films--he managed to create some powerful ones during his time in Hollywood.
Reviews
2 Reviews
One of Chaplin's great contributions to the cinema.
16 October 2011
This is an exquisite film that needs to be seen with some understanding of the era in which it was made. It was a critical success for good reason, and it's ironic style and subtle acting was a great influence on directors such as Lubitsch. It was not a popular success in the US but was well understood and acclaimed as such in Europe. I notice that some reviewers decry it as melodrama, but there is no reason why melodrama should not be an acceptable form of art. I would urge viewers to immerse themselves more in the treasures of the silent cinematic era, as there are many lessons to be learned therefrom for today's aspiring artists in any medium.
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