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6.3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Riptide remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like old movies where people talk in fancy rooms and wear clothes that look like they cost more than my car, then yeah, sure, give Riptide a spin. It’s not for everyone, especially if you get twitchy when a movie doesn't have a car chase or a explosion every ten minutes. It’s basically a high-stakes soap opera with better lighting.
Norma Shearer is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. She plays Mary with this weird, frantic energy that makes you wonder if she’s actually happy or just really, really committed to the bit. I mean, marrying a Lord on a whim? That’s a choice.
There’s this one scene where they are just standing around at a party, and I swear the background extras are all doing the exact same slow-motion walk. It’s super distracting once you see it. You can almost hear the director shouting, “Look fancy! Don’t bump into the furniture!”
The whole thing feels a bit like The Auction Block but with more tea and less... well, auctions. It’s got that weird, stilted rhythm where people say things like “I shall endeavor to be patient” instead of just saying “chill out.” It’s charming in a dusty sort of way.
Honestly, the best parts are when the characters stop being polite and start being messy. It’s like watching a train wreck in slow motion, but the train is made of silk and diamonds. It reminded me a bit of the mood in Heart to Heart, where everything feels just a little bit too fragile.
Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it a fun way to spend a rainy afternoon? Maybe. It’s a bit uneven, and the pacing definitely hits a wall in the second act, but it’s got enough personality to keep you from checking your phone every five seconds. And honestly, that’s a win in my book.
Anyway, I probably wouldn't watch it twice, but I’m glad I saw it. It’s got that weird, old-world energy that just doesn’t exist in movies anymore. 🎞️