DbcultAccessing Vault...
5.8/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.8/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Where Sinners Meet remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like old movies where everyone talks like they're reading from a fancy postcard, you’ll probably find Where Sinners Meet pretty charming. If you need something with a pulse or, I don't know, a plot that isn't just people being passive-aggressive in velvet chairs, skip it. It’s for the folks who want a time capsule, not a thrill ride.
The whole setup is just bizarre. A guy and his girlfriend are heading to Paris to run away together, their car dies, and they end up at this hotel where the owner basically holds them hostage for seven days. He calls it a 'test' to see if they're actually compatible. In real life, you’d call the police. Here, they just go, 'Oh, okay, I guess we’ll stay.'
The hotel itself feels like a dollhouse. Everything is too clean, too quiet, and way too stiff. You can practically hear the director yelling at the extras to stop fidgeting in the background. It reminds me a bit of the suffocating feeling in A Little Journey, where everyone is just trapped by their own manners.
Diana Wynyard is doing a lot of heavy lifting with her eyebrows. There’s a scene where she realizes her boyfriend Leonard is kind of a jerk, and she just stares at a teapot for what feels like a solid three minutes. It’s a very specific kind of silent realization that doesn't actually lead to her leaving, because why would she?
Then there's the other couple. Oh, the other couple. They are essentially the 'what if' version of our leads, and it’s about as subtle as a sledgehammer. The way they bump into each other in the hallways is just so... convenient. It’s like the house only has one bathroom and one hallway.
I found myself staring at the wallpaper in one shot instead of listening to the dialogue. It’s got this weird pattern that looks like it’s trying to swallow the actors whole. Maybe that was the point? Probably not. Sometimes a wall is just a wall, even in a movie from 1934.
The ending is exactly what you expect, which is almost a relief. No big twists, no explosions, just a lot of people deciding their futures while clutching teacups. It's not profound, it's just there. If you’re looking for something to watch while you fold laundry, this is exactly that kind of movie.
IMDb 6.2
1923
Community
Log in to comment.
