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6.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Love Racket remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you're into those old silent films where people communicate mostly through very intense staring and big hand gestures, you'll probably like this one. It's a solid choice for a rainy afternoon when you want to feel a little bit sad but not devastated.
If you hate reading title cards or think black and white movies are boring, you should definitely stay away. It moves slow, like really slow sometimes.
The whole story is about this girl who has a "past"—which in 1923 usually just meant she once stayed out too late or talked to the wrong guy. She ends up trashing her own reputation to save another girl she doesn't even know. It’s all very noble and kind of frustrating to watch.
Dorothy Mackaill is in this, and honestly, she’s the main reason to even bother. She has these huge eyes that seem to catch every bit of light on the set. There is a moment where she’s just sitting by a window, and you can see the dust floating in the air around her. It feels like you’re peeking into a real room from a hundred years ago.
The lighting is actually kind of weird in a few scenes. In the big dramatic confrontation, the shadows are so thick you can barely see who is talking. I think they were trying to be artistic, but it mostly just looks like they forgot to turn on a lamp.
I noticed one of the actors, I think it was Jack Curtis, kept adjusting his tie in every single shot. Once you notice it, you can’t stop looking at it. It’s like he was worried it was crooked the whole time they were filming.
It’s not as trippy as something like The Fall of the House of Usher. It’s a much more grounded, almost soapy kind of story. Which isn't a bad thing, just different.
The costumes are incredible, though. The hats in this movie are basically their own characters. There’s one hat Dorothy wears that looks like it could double as a satellite dish. 👒
There is a scene where a letter gets delivered, and the camera zooms in so close you can see the texture of the paper. It feels so heavy and important. But then the movie spends like five minutes showing people reacting to the letter before we even know what it says. The pacing is definitely a bit wonky.
I found myself wondering about the girl she was saving. We don't really get to know her that well. It makes the sacrifice feel a bit lopsided, you know?
If you compare it to something like The Rage of Paris, it feels a bit more serious and heavy. It’s trying really hard to make a point about how women were treated back then. It succeeds, mostly by making you feel annoyed at all the men in the movie.
The set design for the main house is pretty cool. It has these giant pillars that look like they are made of painted cardboard. If you look closely at the bottom of one, you can see where the paint is peeling. I love little details like that.
It’s definitely not a masterpiece like The New Babylon. That movie has a whole different energy. This one is more like a cozy, slightly depressing book you find in a library.
One reaction shot of Myrtle Stedman lingers for about ten seconds too long. She’s just standing there with her mouth slightly open. It starts to get a little bit funny after the five-second mark. I wonder if the director just forgot to yell cut.
The music—well, the version I saw had a piano score—was a bit much. It was very loud during the parts that weren't even that exciting. Like, someone just walked into a room and the piano went absolutely wild. 🎹
I’ll be honest, the middle part of the movie drags quite a bit. I might have checked my phone once or twice during a long walking sequence. But the ending pulls it back together nicely.
It’s a shamefully overlooked little film in some ways. Even if the plot is a bit predictable, the vibe is just right for a quiet night in. It makes you glad we don't live in a time where one secret could basically end your life.
The makeup is also worth mentioning. Everyone has these very dark lips and pale faces. It makes them look like ghosts wandering around a big house. Especially in the nighttime scenes.
Is it worth watching? Yeah, if you like the history of it. Or if you just like looking at 1920s furniture. I’m a sucker for a good velvet couch, and this movie has plenty of them. 🛋️
Just don’t expect a life-changing experience. It’s a good, solid drama that knows exactly what it is. It doesn't try to be fancy, it just tells its story and then it's over.
I’m still thinking about that one guy's tie, though. Seriously, it was so distracting. He must have been really nervous that day on set.
IMDb —
1928
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