A young couple struggle to get ahead, the wife always assuaging the troubles of her melancholy husband. As he climbs the ladder of success, he abandons the homely values and takes up with an... Read allA young couple struggle to get ahead, the wife always assuaging the troubles of her melancholy husband. As he climbs the ladder of success, he abandons the homely values and takes up with another woman. His wife leaves him, returning to her mother's home where she bears a child. ... Read allA young couple struggle to get ahead, the wife always assuaging the troubles of her melancholy husband. As he climbs the ladder of success, he abandons the homely values and takes up with another woman. His wife leaves him, returning to her mother's home where she bears a child. When the husband is abandoned by his concubine, remorse drives him to find his wife...
- Club Patron
- (uncredited)
- Outside Club
- (uncredited)
- Woman Collecting Ironing
- (uncredited)
- Club Patron
- (uncredited)
- Club Patron
- (uncredited)
- Club Patron
- (uncredited)
- Outside Club
- (uncredited)
- Outside Club
- (uncredited)
- …
Featured reviews
'The Mothering Heart' to me is one of Griffith's best and most interesting 1910s short films, as well as one of his most poignant. 'The Mothering Heart' also has one of Gish's best early performances in my view, if anybody wants to see what the fuss is about with her her performance here is a good starting point. One can also see why it was a turning point role for her and why her career took off quite vastly after.
Gish is a revelation in a role absolutely perfect for her, she gives a very moving and warm portrayal that makes one completely root for her easily. Walter Miller is far from a drip and brings surprising complexity to a character that on paper sounded weak. Viola Barry is a scene stealer.
On top of the great performances, we also have highly effective direction from Griffith, it is always visually striking and doesn't let the momentum lag. 'The Mothering Heart' is extremely well made, especially striking is how beautifully and inventively shot it is. Far from primitive. Story is very heartfelt and easy to be charmed by, the tragedy heart-breaking.
Not all the more humorous parts gel though and like they didn't properly belong.
That one small complaint aside, this is excellent. 9/10
For Griffith and company, "The Mothering Heart" is a bit of a let-down, considering the high quality of the recent "The Burglars's Dilemma" (1912) and "Death's Marathon" (1912). Though everyone works hard, the situation and club flirtation scenes are somewhat silly.
***** The Mothering Heart (6/21/13) D.W. Griffith ~ Lillian Gish, Walter Miller, Viola Barry
does it represent a turning point in the career of Lillian Gish, it
showcases Lillian and her support in outstanding performances.
As the little mother, Lillian is haunting. Her scene in the garden
doesn't strike one false note. Her scenes in Birth of a Nation, Way
Down East and The Wind come to mind when you see her stagger
towards the camera, distraught yet blank-faced. Walter Miller
shows off the qualities that Griffith liked in his leading men:
meekness, timidity, vulnerability. His performance anticipates
Bobby Harron's work on the modern story in Intolerance. Viola
Barry is delicious as the Idle Woman. The use of cross-cutting,
framing, set design, costuming, lighting and brisk pacing add up
to a fascinating, eerie film, possibly the best Biograph short Griffith
ever made.
Did you know
- ConnectionsFeatured in American Masters: Lillian Gish: The Actor's Life for Me (1988)
Details
- Runtime29 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1