Sins of Man: A melodramatic mess or just old-school heart?

Should you watch Sins of Man? If you are in the mood for a film that feels like a dusty, forgotten relic from a time when movies were desperate to make you cry, then sure, go for it. If you prefer anything resembling subtlety or a pacing that doesn't feel like a slow march toward inevitable tragedy, you will probably hate it. It’s not for the casual viewer who just wants a quick distraction.

The whole premise is weirdly obsessed with music and fathers forcing their dreams onto their kids. Don Ameche plays both brothers, which is a choice. Sometimes it works, but mostly it just makes you squint at the screen trying to figure out which one is which. It’s a bit like watching Darkest Russia in terms of that old-school, slightly stiff drama feel, but with way more bells.

There is a moment in the middle where the film just stops caring about logic and decides to have a war blast a guy's hearing back into existence. I stared at the screen for a solid ten seconds after that happened. It’s the kind of writing that makes you wonder if anyone actually read the script before filming started.

The bells. So many bells. The sound design is basically just bells ringing for the first twenty minutes, and it starts to grate on you after a while. It’s meant to be poetic, I think, but it just sounds like someone playing with a hammer in a clock tower.

Small things I noticed:

• The lighting in the church scenes is surprisingly moody for a movie from this era.
• The extras in the background during the WWI scenes look like they’re having a much better time than the main cast.
• I’m pretty sure I saw the same prop bucket in three different scenes.

It’s not as interesting as something like Tabu: A Story of the South Seas, which at least had a clear vision. This one feels like it’s being pulled in five different directions by the writers. It’s earnest, sure, but sometimes being earnest is just another word for being exhausting.

Maybe it’s worth a look if you’re a fan of Ameche, but honestly? I think I would have preferred watching The Million Dollar Handicap again instead. At least that one knows it’s a bit silly.

Anyway, don't go in expecting a masterpiece. It's a curiosity. A slightly broken, very loud curiosity 🔔.