Watches
January 29, 2024
People sometimes complain that films these days are too long, but it's certainly not a new phenomenon. This silent classic runs well past the 2-hour mark, which is a bit excessive for what is a very basic plot. There is some cool imagery here though, but not enough to keep me engaged for 140 minutes.
The film tells the story of Sergius Karamzin, a crafty man who pretends to be a count. He's a conman who pretends to be well off while hunting for rich women who can't look beyond his superficial charm. One day he runs into Helen, the wife of a US ambassador, he isn't as easily swayed as the other women.
The cinematography is decent and there are a few memorable scenes, but 140 minutes with an overload of intertitles just isn't my idea of riveting cinema. The themes are risqué for their times, but hardly leave a big impression watching it back now. A decent silent classic, but only for those who love this type of thing.