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5.3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Her First Affaire remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Alright, so 'Her First Affaire' isn't going to rock your world, probably. But if you've got a soft spot for really old films, especially those from the early talkie era, this one’s a surprisingly decent watch. It's for folks who enjoy seeing how stories used to be told, before everything got so *loud* all the time. If you need explosions or a super-fast plot, you’ll likely find it a bit slow. But for a quiet afternoon with some tea? Could be just right. ☕
The whole thing kicks off with Ann (Helen Haye) getting completely obsessed with this writer, Henry Stokes (Kenneth Kove). He writes these pulpy novels, you know? The kind with dramatic titles and even more dramatic covers.
Ann just decides she must meet him. And then, not just meet him, but essentially move in. She’s got this intense, almost alarming, focus on him. It’s a bit much, honestly.
Her poor fiancé, Paul (Arnold Riches), is just beside himself. You can almost feel his frustration radiating off the screen. He’s trying so hard to be the sensible one, but Ann is just having none of it.
The plot really gets going when Paul teams up with Henry's wife, Mrs. Stokes (Muriel Aked). She's this wonderfully understated character, very dry. Together, they hatch a plan to make Ann see the writer, and maybe love, for what it really is.
There's a scene early on where Ann is practically reciting lines from Henry's books. She's so earnest, it's almost painful to watch. You can see her brain just totally fixated.
Kenneth Kove, as the writer, plays him as a bit of a harmless flibbertigibbet. He's not really trying to lead Ann on; he's just kinda *there*, bewildered by her intense adoration. His expressions are often priceless, a mix of flattered and utterly confused. 😕
Ida Lupino pops up in a small role, one of Henry's *other* young admirers, I think. She doesn't have a ton to do, but it's neat to catch her in such an early part of her career, before she became, well, *Ida Lupino*.
The dialogue, it's very much of its time. A bit formal, a bit clipped. But some of the exchanges between Paul and Mrs. Stokes are quite sharp. They have this quiet understanding that's very satisfying to watch.
One particular moment sticks with me: Mrs. Stokes, after hearing Ann's gushing, just offers this tiny, almost imperceptible sigh. It tells you everything you need to know about her life with a 'trashy novel' writer. You can practically hear her thinking, "Oh, *another* one."
The whole scheme they cook up? It's pretty clever. It involves a lot of staged scenarios and gentle manipulation. It feels less mean-spirited and more like a well-intentioned intervention, which is nice.
The film doesn't overstay its welcome. It gets in, tells its story, and gets out. The pacing is a little uneven in spots, a few scenes linger a touch too long, then others feel a bit rushed. But that's part of the charm of these old films, isn't it? They have their own rhythm.
It's not a deep film. It’s a light social comedy, really, about youthful infatuation and the reality check that sometimes comes with it. There’s a sweet, slightly naive quality to the whole thing. It’s less about a grand romance and more about Ann growing up a little bit.
You probably won't be talking about it for days afterwards. But for a brief trip back in time to a simpler, slightly more melodramatic kind of storytelling, 'Her First Affaire' offers a pleasant diversion. It’s got a certain understated charm, especially if you appreciate the subtle performances of its supporting cast.
IMDb 5.8
1921
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