BBBB.5
(out of 5)
James Murray is terrific as John Sims, an American born on the fourth of July to parents who expect great things of his life. The result is actually quite disappointing when he gets married to a lovely young woman (Eleanor Boardman) and never makes it far enough in his career to provide her with a good life. The hardships of their economic situation, followed by the devastation of a personal tragedy, end up threatening to tear their whole marriage apart unless he’s able to pull himself back together and save what remains of his life. This wonderful slice of the back end of the American Dream is photographed with precision and directed to perfection by King Vidor. The performances are surprisingly natural, with such powerful expressions on the actor’s faces that you’ll feel like you can hear them speak.
USA, 1928
Directed by King Vidor
Screenplay by King Vidor, John V.A. Weaver, titles by Joseph Farnham
Cinematography by Henry Sharp
Produced by Irving Thalberg
Music by Carl Davis
Production Design by Cedric Gibbons
Costume Design by Andre-ani
Film Editing by Hugh Wynn
Academy Award Nominations
Best Directing (Dramatic Picture) (King Vidor)
Best Unique And Artistic Picture (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)
