Sadie Thompson (1928) :
Brief Review -
Raoul Walsh's zealous attempt to discover new proportions of human redemption powered by Gloria Swanson's Amazing performance. Walsh was a known name after he made the Magnum Opus 'The Thief Of Bagdad' (1924), before making this film. So it was unlikely to expect another gigantic adventure from him with a female-led film. Sadie Thompson has some issues in the climax, which might have been controversial for that time, but today when I look at the film, I understand his zealousness. Especially in the character played by Lionel Barrymore. It's a Gloria Swanson-led film alright but this character keeps tangling you. One just can't say whether he is a villain or a good soul. The same goes with Sadie's character too. You know she is a prostitute yet you want to see her get reformed. However, one must realise that it's not that easy. You just can't reform yourself just after you have decided, there's a process to test your ability. Sadie Thompson is a well made film in that sense. The way it shows that process and the desperate nature of all three leading actors, but the film gets a little messy and confusing at the end. There could be some valid reasons for that, philosophical or religious ones, but I don't want to get into such conversations. Sadie Thompson tells the story of a "fallen woman" who comes to Pago Pago to start a new life, but encounters a zealous missionary who wants to force her back to her former life. Her love story isn't formed well, too rushed I mean, but okay. The performances of all three leading actors makes it a must watch. Whatever remakes and adaptations are available out there, are not worthy enough. So prefer this first copy. It's no match to Raoul Walsh's best works like 'The Thief Of Bagdad' and 'White Heat', but as good as his 'High Sierra', and better than 'The Roaring Twenties'.
RATING - 7/10*
By - #samthebestest.
