Le défenseur: A Quiet, Dramatic Look Back at 1928 Cinema

So, *Le défenseur*. If you're someone who thinks movies started with sound, or even in color, then honestly, just skip this one. Seriously. But if you have a soft spot for silent cinema, or just want to see how stories were told back in the day, then yeah, give it a shot. It's a curiousity, a *glimpse* into a different era, and not a bad way to spend an evening if you're in the right mood. If you need explosions or witty banter, you'll probably be bored stiff. 😴

The film, from way back in 1928, really takes its time. The first half hour felt like watching paint dry, then suddenly, whoosh, things pick up. It’s all about a chap, Pierre Nay's character, trying to protect someone, probably Louise Lagrange, from some bad stuff. Classic stuff, you know?

Louise Lagrange, playing the… well, the damsel in distress, I suppose. Her big crying scene? Man, it goes on. You almost want to pass her a tissue through the screen. 😢 She really gives it her all, though.

There's this one shot, a close-up of Pierre Nay's furrowed brow, and it just *hangs there*. For ages. Like, did the director forget to yell cut? It’s almost funny how long it is. You really feel the weight of his dilemma, I guess.

The title cards are a trip. Sometimes they give you vital info, other times it’s just, like, “He pondered.” Okay, thanks for that. Very insightful. You gotta read fast, too.

The piano score I had playing in the background – a generic silent film playlist, honestly – felt like it was *trying* to tell me how to feel. *Really* laying it on thick during the dramatic bits. You can almost hear the crescendo.

One thing I kept noticing: the sets. Simple, but you can feel the effort. A lot of painted backdrops. Charming, in a way. You could definitely tell the difference between the 'inside' and 'outside' scenes.

The whole 'bad guy' plotline… it’s pretty straightforward. No real twists, just a guy being *obviously* bad. You can tell from his mustache, practically. 🧐 Marcel Vibert, the guy who looks perpetually suspicious. *He really committed* to that look. You could tell he was the villain just by his posture.

Paul Azaïs, he's got this grin, just a flicker, that feels so modern somehow. A weird little detail in all the melodrama. It catches your eye.

The movie gets noticeably better once the actual 'defending' starts. Before that, its a lot of setting up, a lot of people looking worried. The stakes feel clearer then.

There's a chase scene towards the end, and for a 1928 film, it's actually got some pep. Not *Fast & Furious*, obviously, but you know. It felt like they sped up the film reel a bit for that part.

I kept thinking about how loud the theaters must have been back then, with a live orchestra and audience reactions. It makes you wonder how much we miss without that context. It’s a different kind of immersion.

So, is it a masterpiece? Probably not. Is it an interesting watch? Yeah, for the right person. It's a slice of film history, raw and expressive.

Didja notice?

• The way everyone gestures *so much* to get their point across. No subtlety there!
• A lot of longing gazes into the middle distance. What are they looking at?
• The costumes are actually pretty snazzy for the period, even in black and white.
• One scene with a really fake-looking tree. It's endearing.
• How quickly people fall in love or hate. Instant melodrama.
• The surprising number of times someone dramatically throws their hands up. 🙌
• The film almost makes you want to hum along to the non-existent score.