A Boêmia

Lillian Gish is the main reason to watch this film, as the subtlety and range of her expressiveness is on full display here. She is simply magnificent. The film shows signs of creakiness and yet still carries an emotional impact, though I have to say, director King Vidor elongates things as he tries to wring every last ounce of pathos out of it. The film is also hampered by being silent, when you consider how powerful the music from Puccini's opera is.

Gish and John Gilbert were huge stars when this film was made, Gish especially, and there are moments when they light up the screen. My favorite is when they're out on a picnic and she dances about while he chases her. Look for the moment when he catches her, then holds her hands from behind and whispers something in her ear; her look of surprise changing to a backward glance as her body sways forward is wonderful. It's in these types of scenes and when the Vidor puts Gish's face in a tight shot that the film is at its best, and for them, it's worth watching.