Emil Jannings TEST ARTICLE
Silent Era's Top 100 Silent Movies List, which I'm reviewing as part of a bi-weekly series sharing whether I agree with each film's inclusion on the list. Offering the audience wildly innovative and mesmerizing shots of trapeze artists in mid-performance, the way the camera swoops and glides through the air, mirroring the high-flying motion of the circus acts.
The plot follows a former trapeze artist, played by Emil Jannings, who walks away from his wife, young child, and mundane domestic life after falling for a carnival sideshow dancer. Hoping to reclaim a piece of his past fame performing on the high wire before his marriage, he returns to the big leagues in a thrilling three-man trapeze act. Just as he's back on top, however, everything collapses, brought on by his own selfish choices. Caught in a love triangle brimming with jealousy and betrayal, he spirals into a tragic downfall.
Checking out another woman in front of his wife while holding child, classy
While the storyline is nothing new, Variety retains your interest largely because of its cinematic technique. Jannings delivers a solid lead performance, but the real star of the film is the camera itself. The trapeze scenes in particular are striking. As the performers swing through the air, the camera moves with them, lending a visceral sense of danger and thrill that still holds up today.
The 2015 restoration brings out the expressive set designs, gorgeous lighting, and all the visual flair that makes Variety such a technical marvel. But a word of caution: many versions floating around on Blu-ray or online come with one of the worst musical scores ever paired with a silent film.
Emil's not too happy seeing his girl perform with the other man in their trio
The main instrument is a repetitive accordion, and for some reason, there's a singer who randomly narrates parts of the plot often bursting out with the word “Variety!” over and over again. It’s baffling. If you end up with one of these versions, the picture will look great, but do yourself a favor: mute it and add your own soundtrack.
Voted number 92 on Silent Era’s Top 100 Silent Movies list, Variety is undeniably a visual landmark. However, the story didn’t quite land for me. The central love triangle lacks emotional depth, and for that reason, I personally wouldn’t include it in my own Top 100 list. Still, if you're a fan of cinematography and visual storytelling, this film is well worth watching.
Plenty of action on the high wire throughout
Next Up: I’ll be reviewing one of the most influential films ever made, Battleship Potemkin, voted number 9 on the list.