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5.7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Son of the Gods remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Alright, so we’re talking about Son of the Gods from 1929. Is it worth checking out today? Well, that depends *a lot* on why you're watching. If you're into film history, especially early sound pictures and how Hollywood handled… let’s just say, *complicated* themes back then, then sure, absolutely. You'll find a lot to chew on. But if you’re just looking for a casual movie night, something easy to enjoy? You’ll probably want to give this one a wide berth. It's a challenging watch, no two ways about it. Anyone sensitive to outdated, frankly pretty cringey, racial portrayals will likely hate it. 😬
The core of Son of the Gods is pretty heavy. Richard Barthelmess plays Sam Lee, who pretends to be an American named Stephen Lee while in Monte Carlo. He does this because, well, it’s 1929, and being Chinese in a Western setting wasn't exactly easy. He meets Alanna, played by Constance Bennett, and they fall in love. Of course, the whole 'lying about who you are' thing comes crashing down.
Let's get the big thing out of the way first. Barthelmess in 'yellowface.' It’s… *a lot*. It’s dated. It’s uncomfortable. It’s a stark reminder of how Hollywood operated and how racial identity was crudely depicted. You spend a good chunk of the movie just trying to reconcile that performance with the story it's trying to tell. His mannerisms are often just… odd. Like he’s not quite sure *how* to play 'Chinese,' so he just defaults to a few broad strokes. It really pulls you out of the romance, which is a shame, because you can almost see the film *trying* to be a serious drama.
Constance Bennett as Alanna, though. She’s got this incredible screen presence, even in these early talkies. There’s a scene where she’s just talking about her dreams, and her voice has this clear, almost bell-like quality. You understand why Sam falls for her. She's got this *spark*. But then, when the truth comes out about Sam's identity? Oh boy. Her reaction is pretty wild. The plot says she 'goes berserk,' and honestly, it’s not far off. It’s a very *dramatic* outburst, full of wide eyes and gasps, almost a theatrical performance of shock and betrayal. It feels less like a person's reaction and more like the script demanding a capital-D Drama moment. You can almost feel the movie trying to convince you this moment matters, trying to justify her extreme response.
The whole Monte Carlo setting is pretty neat, though. Lots of shots of opulent interiors, fancy cars, people dressed to the nines. It gives the film a certain glossy feel, a real sense of that Roaring Twenties glamour, even if the story underneath is anything but glamorous. There’s a ballroom scene early on that just goes on a bit too long, but you do get a good sense of the atmosphere they were aiming for.
There are these small moments too. Like when Sam is first trying to fit in, and he almost slips up on a tiny detail. A subtle gesture, maybe a look from another character that suggests they’re *almost* catching on. Those bits are actually quite good, building a little tension. They show a glimpse of the movie understanding the stakes of Sam's deception, beyond just the big reveal.
Another character, a minor one, is played by E. Alyn Warren. He pops up in a few scenes, mostly just observing, but he has this very knowing look. Like he sees right through Sam, or maybe he just sees everything. It’s not explained, but it adds a tiny layer of intrigue. You almost wish they’d given him more to do.
The pacing is… well, it’s an early talkie. Some scenes just linger. There are pauses that feel a little too long, like the actors are waiting for their cue, or the sound engineer is catching up. It’s not terrible, but you notice it. The movie gets noticeably better once it stops taking itself *so* seriously and leans into the emotional fallout, even if that fallout is over-the-top.
It’s hard to talk about this film without focusing on the central conflict, and how it’s handled. It’s a relic, for sure. But it’s a valuable one if you’re trying to understand the evolution of cinema and societal attitudes. It really makes you think about how far (or not far) we've come. The final act, after Alanna's big meltdown, tries to wrap things up with some kind of resolution. It’s a bit messy. Not everything feels earned, especially after the dramatic peaks.
Is it a great movie? Probably not by today's standards. Is it an *interesting* one? Absolutely. Just go in knowing what you're getting into. It’s a historical document as much as it is a piece of entertainment. You’ll be thinking about it long after the credits roll, maybe not for the reasons the filmmakers intended, but still. 🤔
IMDb —
1926
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