Borderline

Star Rating: ★★★1/2

[MMWTM3K#08] I appreciate it, but can't say I love it. Cinematography and editing is quite mature and doesn't feel as archaic as in many other films from that time. On the other hand I can't say I care about the plot - it's just a romance story (that doesn't even make much sense in the end) and a silent one at that.

Masterfully composed in editing, score, & cinematography. I can't say the narrative had much of an impact, though.

Read nonalaurie's user comment on IMDb. This was amazing. Attemptively (note: that wasn't even a word) described as surrealist silent film that uses the clatter-montage technique, set to eclectic, avant-garde, retrospective jazz; consciously used to penetrate the psyche.

Robeson is a powerful presence in this so-so early race film which boasts some fine editing, some sloppy cinematography, and a great new jazz score.

A cool mood piece. The feeling and atmosphere is more what you'll find in French silent cinema. Fairly straight forward story. A white man is allegedly caught having a relationship with a black girl and his wife uses it for all it's worth manipulating his emotions for revenge. Which results in the real tragedy. The film is probable most known for featuring Paul Robeson and his wife. Honestly he doesn't have all that much. It's unknowns Gavin Arthur & Hilda Doolittle who has the lead roles.

Formally astute, but I think MacPherson was carried away by avant-garde editing tricks and let the narrative drown underneath it. Whatever Criterion might say, I find this closer to later French Impressionist films than Eisenstein, and would suggest that this is easily compared to Menilmontant, wherein a very similar approach to montage still manages to narrate the plot with success. Certainly an interesting film either way.

I wish I could like it more, because I do appreciate the ground-breaking style, but I honestly also struggled to stay with it and nearly dozed off during the middle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmP1A8IvwB4 [480p]