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6.5/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.5/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Song of the Streets remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like movies that smell like old film stock and have that specific, dusty 1930s European street vibe, then yeah, give it a go. It’s for the folks who don’t mind a bit of moralizing if the scenery is good. But if you’re looking for a hard-boiled crime thriller that stays dark until the end, you’re going to be annoyed by how quickly everyone gets a hug and a second chance.
The whole thing kicks off with these kids acting like they own the sidewalk. It’s all petty theft and running from shadows. There’s this one kid, you can tell he’s the troublemaker just by how he holds his cap. He’s got that specific kind of nervous energy, like he’s constantly vibrating.
Then the judge enters. Vladimir Sokoloff is basically doing the heavy lifting here, playing the guy who’s supposed to be the moral compass. He’s got this weary look in his eyes, like he’s already seen the end of the movie three times over. It’s a bit saccharine at times, honestly.
I couldn't help but think about The Man from Chicago while watching the police procedural stuff. The stakes feel totally different here, though. Instead of big-city corruption, it’s just kids being hungry and making bad choices. The pacing shifts gears so fast it almost gave me whiplash.
There’s a scene near the middle where they’re hiding out in this cramped room. The way the shadows fall across their faces is honestly better than the dialogue. Sometimes, the movie just lets people sit there, staring at a wall, and that’s when it’s at its best. It doesn't need to explain why they're sad. We get it.
Then, suddenly, the tone changes. The kindly judge starts his speech, and the movie pivots toward something that feels a little bit like a Sunday school lesson. Why do they always have to wrap it up so neatly? It’s frustrating.
Some of the supporting actors look like they just wandered in from a stage play nearby. You can see one guy in the background of a market scene who just stands there for an entire minute, looking at a basket of apples. It’s bizarre. I couldn’t stop watching him.
Don't expect a masterpiece. It's a bit like watching In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree—it’s got a specific, simple aim, and it hits it, even if the path there is full of potholes. It’s a small, quiet, imperfect movie that’s mostly held together by the fact that the actors look like they’ve actually spent time on a street corner.
Worth it for the atmosphere alone, I suppose. Just don’t ask for a gritty ending. 🤷♂️
IMDb 5.8
1921
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