zolazona

However, the story was leaden with its pacing and I had difficulty staying interested in the story. Maybe it is because after I got it in my head that the lead actress had too many tics with her popping eyes and mouth twisting that it became too distracting. But that is my problem, not hers.

Hey! Why not show the actual suicidal acts of these young girls, with all the physical effects of their deaths? Purple-blue faces and tongues hanging out with blood etc., etc.

Why? Because we as the audience had to believe what WE saw in the fleeting moments of their deaths was a little bit cool-movie scary AND glamorous. And titillating shocking!!!!!!!

How else could we watch these moronic boys standing across the house where these young girls killed themselves and not smile with a wee tear ourselves? Just a male teen memory of years gone by...

Lordy.

I took a circuitous route in my journey to finally see this movie. I read the novel "Nosferatu", written by Jim Shepard, then rented the film "Murnau, Borzage & Fox Documentary". I then decided to look at all of Murnau's films (most of which can be seen on Youtube). Sunrise was the first American film by Murnau that I have seen.

Wow. Yeah, the story is melodramatic, but if I one just strips away the maudlin aspect of the film and seeks out a universal truth and allows oneself to marvel at the cinematography and camera shots...well, this was a beautiful movie to watch and experience, and Janet Gaynor was wonderful.

Spoilers-I have to admit that I started laughing a little about the main male character's anger management issues. He throttles one woman twice and then plots to kill his wife. His hands at least are pretty murderous!