Have for a long time, or at least for some while now, appreciated silent films. With Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton being big reasons as to why. Have liked Marion Davies in other things, and despite her being (unjustly) ignored during her time critically she strikes me as an important figure when it comes to silents. It is great that TCM have given her and her films more exposure over the years, TCM have always been great with giving actors and films more exposure.
She did do better films and performances than 1922's 'The Bride's Play', but it is watchable and is interesting from a historical perspective. That review summary title sounds very oxymoronic, with "beauty" being one of the most positive words in the English language and "creaky" being quite negative term. What is meant by it, as it does sound misleading, is that it looks lovely but came over as wanting dramatically and having not held up that well.
Good things are a fair few. Was really surprised in a good way at how great 'The Bride's Play' looked, something of a visual achievement. Particularly great are the sets, which were rich in detail and scale without any swamping and it is beautifully filmed. Especially when by the shore and in the historical scenes. Some nice use of silhouette also. The music score is just as lavish and fits in tone and placement very nicely.
Other films of Davies showed her strengths as a performer better, nonetheless she is still radiant and commands the screen with aplomb and pathos. The rest of the cast may not be exactly exceptional, but are competent. There are some charming moments.
For those good things, not everything works. Do have to agree that it is spoilt by the excessiveuse of cramped and overly-wordy title cards. There should have been less of them, only being used when necessary, and in a way where one can see better what was written on the cards. This did contribute to dulling the pace and too much of the film, which never completely grabbed.
It, 'The Bride's Play' that is, also felt a bit creaky and almost like it was being done as a production on stage and it was captured on film. Meaning to me it felt somewhat stagy dramatically and needed to be opened up more. Tighter and more at ease direction would have helped.
Not a bad film by all means but to be seen namely for Marion Davies completests and historical interest. 5/10
