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Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator
Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1924 Vision of Rowland V. Lee
As we revisit the 1924 masterpiece In Love with Love, we are struck by the meticulous attention to detail that Rowland V. Lee applied to every frame. Anchored by a narrative that is both personal and universal, it bridges the gap between traditional Comedy and contemporary vision.
In In Love with Love, Rowland V. Lee 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.
| Cinematography | Noir-Inspired |
| Soundtrack | Experimental |
| Editing | Elliptical |
| Art Direction | Expressionist |
Visualizing the convergence of Rowland V. Lee's style and the core Comedy narrative.
Ann Jordan, flirtatious and pampered daughter of a wealthy contractor, is engaged to Robert Metcalf, a relaxed and boring young man. She then meets Frank Oaks, who aggressively sweeps her off her feet, and she is presently engaged to him also. Mr. Jordan, Ann's father, becomes interested in one of Robert's friends, Jack Gardner, an engineer who is preparing a design for a bridge competition. The elder Jordan invites Jack to the house and covertly copies Jack's plans for the bridge. Ann falls in love with Jack, who is eligible and seemingly indifferent; Jack is too modest to declare his love, so Ann is forced to propose to him, and Jack accepts. Jack's plan for the bridge wins the competition, but in Jordan's name rather than his own. Jack breaks off with Ann, believing that she has professed love for him only to help her father steal his plans. Jack and Ann are reconciled, however, when her father explains that he prevented Jack from winning the competition only to be sure that Jack was free to accept an extremely important position with the Jordan firm.
Decades after its release, In Love with Love remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Rowland V. Lee's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.