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5.5/10
Archivist John
Senior Editor
A definitive 5.5/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Home, James remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a free hour and want something that feels like a warm blanket, Home, James is a good pick. It is definitely for people who like that specific 1920s brand of innocent romance. If you can't stand silent films or 'rich guy in disguise' tropes, you will probably want to skip this one entirely.
Laura La Plante is the main reason to watch. She has this way of looking at the camera that makes you feel like you are in on the joke with her. She plays Laura, a girl from Indiana who moves to the city to be a big-shot artist. But the city doesn't care about her paintings.
The scenes where she is trying to sell her art are actually a bit sad. You see her standing there with her portfolio, and the gallery owners don't even look at her. It felt a lot more modern than I expected. Everyone has been there, trying to do what they love and getting ignored.
She ends up getting a job at a department store. The set for the store is huge and looks really busy. You can almost feel the dust and the smell of old fabric. It reminded me a bit of the atmosphere in The Perfect Woman, but maybe a bit more grounded.
She meets this guy, played by Charles Delaney. He is driving a fancy car and she thinks he is just the hired help. He isn't, obviously. But the movie lets the mistake go on for a while.
Delaney is fine, but he mostly just stands there and looks handsome. He has this very 1920s mustache that is perfectly trimmed. I spent way too much time wondering how much wax he had to use to keep it that still. He doesn't have half the energy that Laura brings to the screen.
There is a scene where they are driving through the park and the lighting is just beautiful. It is one of those moments where the black and white film makes everything look like a dream. The way the shadows of the trees hit the car is really nice. It is a quiet moment that doesn't really need any dialogue.
The plot moves along at a decent pace, though it slows down when the family gets involved. Arthur Hoyt shows up as a floorwalker at the store and he is hilarious. He has this nervous energy that makes every scene he is in much better. He’s always adjusting his sleeves or looking worried about something.
I noticed a weird bit of editing in the middle. One second they are talking near a counter, and the next, they are in a completely different part of the store. It’s like a few frames went missing or they just didn't care about the jump cut. It made me laugh a little bit.
The whole 'Prince Charming in a chauffeur outfit' thing is pretty thin. You know exactly where it is going the second they meet. It doesn't have the weird twists you might find in something like All for a Husband. But sometimes a straight line is okay.
There is this one lady customer who comes into the store and is just incredibly rude. She wants to see every single piece of silk but doesn't buy anything. Laura's facial expressions during this part are perfect. It is the universal 'retail worker' face.
The title cards are mostly okay, though a few of them are a bit too wordy. They try to explain things that you can already see on the actors' faces. Silent movies always work better when they trust the actors more and the writers less.
The ending is very sweet, if a bit rushed. It’s one of those finales where everything is solved in about two minutes. One big reveal, a kiss, and the credits roll. It’s very satisfying in a simple way.
It isn't a deep movie. It doesn't try to be. It’s just about a girl trying to make it and finding a nice guy along the way. If you like Kipps, you might find this version of a class story a bit too sugary, but I didn't mind it.
I found myself smiling through most of it. It’s not going to be my favorite movie of all time, but I’m glad I watched it. Laura La Plante really is a star. She carries the whole thing on her shoulders and makes it look easy. 🍿
Check it out if you want something light. Just don't expect it to stay with you for weeks afterward. It’s more like a pleasant dream you forget by breakfast.
IMDb —
1920
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