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6.5/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.5/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Luxury Liner remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
So, is Luxury Liner something you need to dig up today? Honestly, it’s a tough sell unless you really, _really_ love old-school romantic dramas with a side of class commentary. If you're into those pre-Code vibes where emotions run high and plots can get a little wild, you might find some fun here. But if you’re looking for modern pacing or subtle performances, this one will probably feel pretty dusty and maybe even a bit silly. 🚢
The whole setup with Robert Alden’s character, Dr. Alden, *sneaking* onto the ship as the doctor just to confront his estranged wife, Jane Keithley—well, it’s a bit much. You can practically _feel_ the movie trying to make this dramatic. He glowers a lot, this Dr. Alden. He really does. 😠
Jane Keithley, as the wife, looks perpetually annoyed, which, fair enough, her ex-husband just ambushed her on a transatlantic journey. Her millionaire beau, played by George Brent, is kind of charmingly oblivious at first. He just seems happy to be on the ship, enjoying the sea air and good company.
There’s a scene early on where Dr. Alden just stares at them from across the dining hall. _It goes on a bit long._ The way the camera cuts back to him, then to them, then back to him. You get it, he’s upset.
He just keeps showing up. In hallways, by the deck railing. Always a few feet away, just _watching_. It’s less romantic pursuit and more… stalking, honestly. The film kind of wants you to root for him, but it’s hard when he’s so intense about it.
Then you have the folks in steerage. They’re a whole other movie happening down there. Alice White plays this bright-eyed girl, full of hope for New York. She brings a nice burst of energy to those scenes. You root for her, even if her story is pretty straightforward.
Christian Rub plays a character down there who just wants to make a new life. He has this one line about 'the land of opportunity' that feels _so earnest_. It's a nice little counterpoint to all the fancy problems upstairs.
The way the film just _jumps_ between these two worlds can feel a little jarring sometimes. One minute it's champagne problems, the next it's worries about passage and a place to sleep. It's like two different movies glued together.
The ship itself looks quite grand, all polished wood and sparkling chandeliers. You really get that sense of luxury, even if it’s an old film. But then you see the crowded bunk beds below deck, and the contrast is pretty stark. 🧐
There's this moment when a steward walks past, carrying what looks like an impossibly tall stack of pastries. It just caught my eye. How did he balance that? It’s a silly thing to remember, but it stuck.
The dialogue sometimes feels like it was written for the stage, very dramatic pronouncements. "You cannot escape destiny on the high seas!" Someone actually says something like that. 😅 It’s great in a weird way.
One part, the doctor delivers a baby in steerage. It’s supposed to be a moment of redemption, I guess, showing his good side. But it feels a little too convenient, a quick fix for his creepy obsession. It’s almost like the movie goes, "See? He's not _that_ bad."
Barbara Barondess has a small role as a flapper-type passenger, and she just _radiates_ mischief. Every time she’s on screen, even for a moment, she makes an impression. Her outfits are killer too. ✨
The tension builds, naturally. You know these two worlds are going to collide more directly at some point. It’s a classic setup. Does it pay off? Well, it gets messy, as you'd expect. People say things they shouldn't.
It’s an interesting look at the era, seeing how people traveled and what their dreams were. The sheer optimism of the steerage passengers is almost heartbreaking, knowing what some of them would face. Their little stories felt more real than the main love triangle, somehow.
Is it a masterpiece? Nah. But for a specific kind of old movie fan, there are some genuine, _odd_ charms here. It’s certainly not boring, even when it’s trying too hard. You just have to be in the mood for its particular brand of drama. 🍿
IMDb —
1917
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