Their Own Desire

Clunky, episodic early talkie is a good example of the rough edges that film went through in the transition from silence to sound. Most of the performers were silent stars and are obviously still adjusting their performing style to the different requirement of the microphone. Norma, who was inexplicably nominated for an Oscar for this overly emphatic performance, is best in her speechless moments. Robert Montgomery, one of the few actors not moving from silence to sound but still new to films is awkward and fond of practically being on top of the other person in his scenes. To be fair this might have been a requirement of the new technology, and it is better than talking into a flower pot, but he seems more reliant on it than the other actors. He would improve vastly within a short period of time but here comes across as a callow youth. The great silent star Belle Bennett, rather preposterously cast as Norma's mother since they were only eleven years apart in age, is effective though some of her gestures also hark back to a more silent form of pantomime.

The movie overall works best in those passages where dialog isn't required. There is a lovely dancing scene that flows far more smoothly than any other in the film. In another sign of one era giving way to another many of the scenes are introduced via title cards and rather than an easy flow to the film it has a choppy episodic feel.

You know that old 'truth' that films made in 1929 were terrible, that nobody could act and speak at the same time, that they were stagey static bores? Well this proves all that wrong.

Veteran silent movie maker, Mason Hopper clearly hadn't read the memo that making talkies were difficult. He didn't know that the coming of sound meant just to position the camera in the corner of a set and tell the actors to speak very slowly as though they were doing a play in an old people's home. Considering when this was made, it's exceptionally good. The acting is natural with lively dialogue making what you're watching seem real and authentic, almost modern. But what this does have in abundance is a story, and attitudes gloriously drenched in late twenties atmosphere.

About half the picture is filmed outdoors; in the streets, in parks, in cars, in boats, you couldn't find a less stagey film than this beautifully made melodrama. The direction is uncharacteristically fluid for an early talkie - it could have been made years later. Norma Shearer is completely natural and instantly endearing. Whilst not having dazzling looks, as in most of her films, she again manages to exude more sensuous sexuality than seems possible for one person to exude. Robert Montgomery, in his first leading role seems like he's been a star for years and is equally as likeable. Lewis Stone is Lewis Stone and in this is Shearer's father with a peculiar penchant for middle aged ladies who can't act (no, not everyone is brilliant in this!)

For a soppy, if rather racy melodrama to hook cynical old me like this did can only be because it's such a well made, well written story. It's not what you'd expect from such an old film.

The plot is pretty simple and this 65 minute film is in general pretty average, with one exception – Norma Shearer, who is so charming I rounded my review score up a bit. She's the epitome of the 1920's flapper – playful, adventurous, and in control of her own destiny. She's also smart, sexy in a natural way, and has an infectious laugh – truly a delight to watch. She plays the spunky daughter of a couple who divorce, and later finds herself unknowingly falling in love with Robert Montgomery, the son of her father's new wife, setting up inner conflict. I love how we see her character playing polo, diving from a high board, and canoeing in a storm – and also how we see her romantic, and in control of how far she wants to take things. She occasionally overacts but is so natural and spontaneous otherwise that I'm not surprised she was nominated for an Oscar for her performance.

The movie has a somewhat overheated, strained quality to it, much like a soap opera and is primarily of interest for Norma Shearer's performance, which received a nomination for Best Actress for the 1929-30 Academy Awards, which she lost to herself, winning instead for her performance in The Divorcee, a better role in a much better film. Ms. Shearer was THE actress at the time and did quite well for many years. A good movie that could have been better and largely a curio now.

I watched and enjoyed this old first of the talkies. I it always cool for me to think of what life must have been prior to the depression and all of todays discoveries and new way of life. My mother was born in 1921, so I think of her life then. She would have been eight years old at this time. The cars , the actors, the dress is very nice and wonderfully done. I watch quite a lot of these old movies of this era, most were still silent at this point. This must have been one of the first of the 'talkies'. Just think what it was like to have no TV but to basically go to the movies for all you watched including news reals. It must've been great living in these days.