Jazz Mad (1928) Review: Jean Hersholt is heartbreaking in this one.

You should probably watch Jazz Mad if you have a soft spot for movies about people trying to keep their dignity while the world moves on without them. It is great for fans of silent-era melodrama, but if you are looking for a fast-paced flick with lots of action, you will likely find this one pretty boring.

Jean Hersholt plays Elsaesser, a composer who moves to America thinking everyone is just waiting to hear his big, serious symphony. He looks so hopeful at the start, with that kind of wide-eyed look people have before they realize the rent is due. 🎻

The movie does this thing where it pits "real" music against the new jazz craze. It is funny because, being a silent film, we cannot actually hear how "bad" the jazz is or how "grand" the symphony sounds.

We just have to trust the actors' faces when they look disgusted or inspired. One reaction shot of Hersholt looking at a jazz band is so intense it almost feels like he is watching a crime happen.

Marian Nixon plays his daughter, and she is basically the glue holding his sanity together. There is a scene where she is trying to be cheerful while they are clearly struggling, and it feels very real.

It reminded me a little of the family vibes in My Old Dutch, though maybe a bit less gritty. The sets for their little apartment feel cramped in a way that makes you want to open a window.

There is a moment where Elsaesser is looking at his sheet music and you can see the actual dust on the table. It is a small detail, but it makes the failure feel heavy and physical.

One guy, played by George J. Lewis, is the love interest who basically represents the "new" world. He is fine, but the movie is really about the dad and his obsession with his art.

Some of the comedy bits with the neighbors feel like they belong in a different movie, maybe something like Nearly Married. They break the mood a bit, but I guess people back then needed a laugh between the crying scenes.

The middle section drags a little when he starts losing hope. You can almost feel the movie stretching to make sure we understand he is sad.

The ending is exactly what you think it will be. It is a bit sappy, but by that point, you kind of want the old guy to win anyway.

It is not a masterpiece, but it is honest. Watch it on a rainy Sunday when you are feeling a bit sentimental about the past. 🎹