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7.2/10
Archivist John
Senior Editor
A definitive 7.2/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Rain remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Okay, so Rain isn't for everyone. Let’s get that out of the way upfront. If you need car chases, snappy dialogue, or even, you know, a plot plot, you’ll probably find Joris Ivens’ 1929 experimental short a bit of a snoozefest. But if you're someone who appreciates the quiet art of cinema, the way images and rhythm can evoke a feeling without a single spoken word, then you should absolutely seek out the 2021 restored version. It’s a beautiful, almost meditative experience that washes over you.
This film, it’s literally just about rain. Falling rain. Puddles forming. Reflections on wet streets in Amsterdam. That’s it. And yet, it's so much more. Ivens and Mannus Franken managed to capture something really special. It’s a documentary, yes, but it feels like a dream. Or maybe more accurately, a waking observation, hyper-focused on one singular event.
The pacing here is just perfect. It’s not slow in a boring way, but slow in a way that lets you see things. You watch the first few drops hit the pavement, then the increasing intensity, then the aftermath. The camera lingers on ripples, on reflections of buildings that twist and shimmer, almost dissolving into abstract shapes. A child peeking from under an umbrella, quick steps of people rushing to shelter. It’s these small, fleeting moments that stick with you.
And the 2021 restoration? With Nikolas Labrinakos’ new score? Man, it brings it all to life in a way you wouldn't expect from a silent film almost a century old. The music isn't trying to be "epic" or anything. It's subtle, a little melancholic, sometimes a bit jazzy. It just fits. It helps you sink into the rhythm of the film, making those puddles feel deeper and those reflections even more profound. It almost feels like the score is the rain sometimes, a real achievement there.
One shot that really got me was how the tram wires criss-cross against the grey, rainy sky. So simple, but it just grounds you right there in the moment, in that specific place. And then you see the water flowing, turning ordinary gutters into little rushing rivers. It’s like the film asks you to pay attention to the everyday, to find the beauty in something as common as a sudden downpour.
It’s not a film you analyze with a flowchart. It’s a film you feel. It’s a mood. It’s an exercise in seeing. You can almost feel the chill in the air, the dampness. It makes you want to go outside and just watch the rain for a bit, really watch it. It's surprisingly engaging, considering its lack of traditional narrative. Honestly, I think it’s a tiny masterclass in how to capture atmosphere. Just really neat stuff.
There are no big dramatic shifts or character arcs, obviously. But the film itself has a kind of arc, from the first tentative drops to the full deluge, and then the quiet calm as it lets up, leaving behind shimmering streets. It’s a testament to Ivens’ eye that he could make something so ordinary feel so eventful. A quiet triumph, really. Don't go in expecting a story, just let it wash over you. 🌧️
IMDb 6.1
1924
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