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Cult Review
Archivist John
Senior Editor
Okay, so Adoration, this old silent film from 1928. Is it worth digging up today? Absolutely, if you have a soft spot for silent-era dramas or are just curious about the craft from way back when. Fans of early cinema, particularly those who appreciate classic melodrama and *really* expressive acting, will probably find something to connect with here. But if you’re someone who needs fast pacing, crisp dialogue, or plots that twist and turn every five minutes, you might find it a bit of a slow burn, honestly. It’s definitely not for everyone, and that’s perfectly fine.
Nanci Price, as the young woman at the story’s heart, really carries so much of the emotional weight. Her face, the way she uses her eyes… it just tells a whole story without a single word spoken. You can see the struggle, the hope, even a flicker of defiance. It’s actually quite captivating. Some of the close-ups on her feel incredibly modern, almost. Like the camera just *gets* it.
Josef Swickard, playing the older, perhaps a bit weary, character, has this quiet dignity about him. There's a scene where he's just sitting, looking out a window. No big action, no dramatic gesture. Just him, looking. And it just hangs there for a beat longer than you expect, and you really feel the weight of his world. It’s a small moment, but it sticks.
The pacing, well, it’s a silent film from the late '20s. Expect it to take its time. There are stretches where it feels like the narrative just wants you to *breathe* with the characters. And then suddenly, a moment of quick action or a dramatic reveal will hit, and you realize how much tension has been building without you even noticing. It’s a different rhythm, for sure.
Intertitles, of course, are a big part of the experience. Most of them do their job, moving the plot along or explaining a key emotion. But then there are a few that just state the obvious, like, “She felt a deep sadness.” And you’re just like, “Yeah, we *saw* her tearing up, thanks.” 😂 It’s part of the charm, though, these little little interruptions.
One thing that kinda stood out: the costumes. Even when things are supposed to be tough for Price’s character, her dress always seems a little too perfectly tailored, not a speck of dust on it. It pulls you out of the 'struggle' just a tiny bit. Like, where did she find that pristine outfit in the middle of all this?
There's this one moment – I almost missed it – where Nanci Price's character gives this tiny, almost imperceptible *glance* at the camera. Not a full break, but a little something. Was it accidental? Or a subtle acknowledgement? It made me smile. It felt very human, a little crack in the fourth wall. Or maybe I just imagined it. Anyway.
And let's not forget the sheer earnestness of it all. The emotions are big, as you'd expect. Love, betrayal, desperation. They’re all dialed up. But it’s not cheesy, not really. It feels *genuine* to the period. You really get swept up in the melodrama of it. The villain, naturally, is appropriately sneering. You know he's bad news because he *looks* bad news. It’s a very clear good vs. evil kind of setup, which is often comforting.
The ending, as many silent films do, aims for that big emotional release. The final embrace… it does go on a *tad* too long. You're just waiting for the iris out, thinking, “Okay, they got it, they’re happy, let’s wrap this up.” But it emphasizes the relief, I guess. It’s a nice, simple, hopeful finish.
Ultimately, Adoration is a sweet, heartfelt little film. It won't blow your mind with crazy special effects or intricate plots, but it offers a genuine glimpse into the storytelling of a different era. It’s a quiet movie that asks you to slow down, and if you do, it might just reward you.
IMDb 4.1
1918
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