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Reviews
Lorelei (2020)
Hope Springs Eternal and Everyone Deserves Second Chances!
Great independent film about the vicissitudes of fate by first time Director/Writer Sabrina Doyle. With beautiful cinematography and evocative score, it's lovely to see a movie about relationships instead of explosions and bloodshed! Particularly enjoyable is the character of the Pastor who has a light touch with her faith and Christian cheek-turning toward her flock. Overall, Lorelei is a fairly realistic depiction of the modern "blended family." The main protagonists elicit sympathy in very human roles, eventually finding balance with life as they find it, rather than as originally dreamed. The dénouement is particularly touching in this regard and ties into the mythological theme of the title which recurs in literal waves throughout. The Wayland character as potential stepfather of three is understandably reticent, assuming a necessary parental role that gives center to his life and the children's. While the film focuses on its two principals, it is the dreams and longing of these young that ultimately gains our deepest sympathy. The three children realistically alternate between pathos and hope, and are well brought to life by the young actors in complex roles. My husband and I look forward to further efforts by this team!
Break of Hearts (1935)
Glorious Max Steiner
Alright, so it is clichéd, sappy, and, compared to today's standards, overacted and self-important...but so is Love. Two lost souls find their other half, and foolishly loose all. Max Steiner's theme given to Constance as her "song of love" is gorgeous. Hepburn is youthful enthusiasm and radiance, and manages a pretty strong portrayal of weakness for such a strong lady. Boyer can speak centuries of emotion with those incredible eyes. For anyone who feels deeply about music, this movie isn't so far-fetched--and it's great with popcorn! (This from a lover of depression era costuming--try to ignore the clown-collars they put poor Kate in after she is married--she looked better poor!) So it's a 1930's chick-flick. Relax and step back to a time when love was worth sacrificing everything for.
Broken Blossoms or The Yellow Man and the Girl (1919)
Unflinching And Unforgettable--A Masterpiece
Exquisite, Shattering, Brutal. I had read Miss Gish's fascinating autobiography many years ago, so I was prepared for the basic plot line. What I found, however, were Archetypes of humanity (and inhumanity) depicted in their purest form. Compared to today's movies, the acting and storyline might be considered less than subtle--primal emotions should be less than subtle. Here the "Blossoms" are all those things that Life presents to us in capital letters: Love, Rage, Fear, Loss, Hopelessness, Spiritual Hunger. We are all of us trapped by something, from within us or from outside us. This film is a paean and a painting of life in all its unforgettable colours. If you can watch this film dry-eyedgive up :)