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7.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. No Greater Love remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like movies that wear their hearts aggressively on their sleeves, sure. It’s perfect for people who miss the kind of storytelling that doesn't care about being subtle. If you need pacing that moves faster than a slow walk, or if you get hives from heavy-handed moral lessons, skip it. You will probably hate this if you prefer modern, grit-filled dramas.
There is something about the way Sidney Cohen moves through his deli that just sticks with you. He is not a saint, really, just a guy who decides to do something that everyone says is a bad idea. And then he does it anyway. It’s stubborn kindness, which is usually more interesting to watch than the performative kind.
The whole thing feels a lot like Abie's Irish Rose, but it leans into the schmaltz until the furniture starts to creak. Watching the townspeople lose their minds over an adoption is just bizarre now. People standing around in groups, whispering, looking shocked—it’s like they have nothing better to do than police a deli owner's private life.
Sometimes the movie lingers on a shot of a hand or a door closing, and you think, 'Wait, why are we still here?' It happens a lot. It doesn’t have the kinetic energy of something like Rio Grande, that’s for sure. It’s a slower, dustier kind of rhythm.
There’s a scene where Sidney just stares out into the street. It’s not really about the plot. He just looks tired. It felt realer than the actual scripted arguments happening around him. Maybe the actor was just ready for lunch. I don't know.
Honestly, the movie is a bit of a mess. It’s uneven and it tries too hard to make you cry. But there’s a flicker of something honest in there. It’s not a masterpiece, but I’ve seen way worse things masquerading as 'cinema' lately. 🥯
IMDb 7.6
1921
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