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Sunrise
- A Song of Two Humans
Silent film staring
George O'Brien & Janet Gaynor
A Wonderful Film By Any
Standard
SUNRISE is a lovely & very unique silent film. It is
one I recommend to people who are new to the silent genre. Like many people,
when I thought "silent picture" I envisioned people with dead white
make-up, pounds of black eye-makeup & jumping around in spasmodic
overacting. SUNRISE is one of the great silents that offers a whole different
experience. For starters, the plot is ageless: handsome husband with loving,
but rather dowdy wife, strays with cosmopolitan beauty.
George O'Brian could easily be the hunk next door today. He's both athletic
& sensitive. I've never seen him before or since. Janet Gaynor is an
excellent actress who, of course, went on to star in very successful "talkies."
For example, she starred in the first version of A STAR IS BORN. Despite their
almost polar opposite physical attributes (he is very tall & she is very
short) the chemistry between them is unmistakable. There's a scene where they
go to the Big City & get happily drunk (for the first time?) They do a
dance together that is hysterically funny & charming. THEN rowing a boat
back home they get trapped in a raging storm. Here we see the full brilliance
of German expressionist director F.W. Murnau & the film's outstanding
special effects & cinematography.
There's also a scene near the end of the picture where the couple are making
up. A group of well-wishers are gently warned away by a matron who knows best.
The scene displayed a simplicity that was very touching.
SUNRISE is really a romantic epic & explores layers of relationship &
cultural values. It is not expressionist, but realistic & very down to
earth. I don't think I'd pay what they're asking to purchase, but I've rented
it twice.
Review: JEFarrow
Updated 1/10
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