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5.5/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.5/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Son-Daughter remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a serious itch for early talkies and don’t mind some heavy-handed acting, you might find something here. But let’s be real—if you’re looking for a smooth, modern watch, you’re going to hate this. It’s stiff, it’s theatrical, and it moves at the pace of a slow-moving parade.
The whole thing feels like a stage play that someone accidentally left the cameras running on. You can practically hear the floorboards creaking under the weight of all that dramatic dialogue.
There’s this weird tension between the revolutionary plot and the personal stuff with Lien Wha. One minute, they’re talking about smuggling guns to fight imperialists, and the next, it’s all about these very formal, stiff wedding plans. It doesn’t always click.
Helen Hayes is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. Sometimes it feels like she’s trying to emote for the entire cast at once. A bit much, honestly.
If you want to see how these kinds of stories were handled way back when, you might compare it to the stuffy atmosphere in Bushi no îe, though they are completely different animals. It’s got that same sense of 'old-world' weight.
Also, the ending. I won't spoil it, but let's just say it wraps up with a neat little bow that feels totally unearned. Everything is just... okay. Not great, not terrible, just a relic that’s survived long enough to be looked at with a raised eyebrow. 🤨
Anyway, keep your expectations low. Like, basement level.