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Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator
Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1923 Vision of Jack Conway
In the storied career of Jack Conway, What Wives Want stands as a the provocative questions that Jack Conway poses to the United States audience. Elevating the source material through Jack Conway's unique vision, it persists as a haunting reminder of our own cinematic history.
In What Wives Want, Jack Conway pushes the boundaries of conventional narrative. The film's unique approach to its subject matter has sparked endless debates and interpretations among cinephiles and critics alike.
To fully appreciate What Wives Want, one must consider the cinematic climate of 1923. During this period, United States was undergoing significant artistic shifts, and Jack Conway was at the forefront of this Drama movement, often challenging established norms.
| Cinematography | Static |
| Soundtrack | Orchestral |
| Editing | Invisible |
| Art Direction | Kitsch |
Visualizing the convergence of Jack Conway's style and the core Drama narrative.
Claire Howard, neglected by her husband, Austin, succumbs to the attentions of Austin's business partner, John Reeves, to the dismay of Alice Loring, her sister. When Claire ignores Alice's advice to end the affair, Alice goes to Reeves hoping to reason with him. Austin and Alice's husband, David, discover Alice and Claire with Reeves, but Alice takes the blame--causing David to ask for a divorce. Claire confesses to Austin, who resolves to mend his ways, and Alice is reunited with David.
Decades after its release, What Wives Want remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Jack Conway's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.