Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell star in Frank Borzage's Oscar-winning directed film: 7th Heaven. The seven in the title refers to the seven story walk-up to the flat Farrell eventually shares with Gaynor. Farrell is a faithless, disgruntled sewer worker who happens upon the put upon waif Gaynor in the street. Gaynor is attacked by her sister when she speaks up to relatives willing to take her and her sister in. Farrell saves Gaynor from her sister and takes her in after police threaten to arrest her. She poses as his wife, and they eventually fall in love before having to part from each other abruptly for World War I.
The film, like many of Borzage's, is romantic, sentimental, and contrived beyond belief at times. However, the first pairing of Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell is somewhat magical, as they do have great screen chemistry. Like many silent films, some stars were either above the material they appeared in or elevated the material with their performances. 7th Heaven was such a film for Janet Gaynor. Charles Farrell was never much of an actor and relied mostly on his looks to carry him until the sound era revealed his voice did not match his rugged good looks.
In 7th Heaven, Gaynor and Farrell are ably directed by Frank Borzage who copped an Oscar for his direction. Writer Benjamin Glazer won the first of his two Oscars, basing the script on Austin Strong's play. Harold Oliver was also nominated for the terrific art direction, which evoked a French tenement area effectively. Janet Gaynor won the best actress Oscar for a combination of three of her performances: 7th Heaven, Sunrise, and Street Angel. The film itself was also nominated for best production. The cinematography, framing, and tracking shots add to the film immensely.
Borzage's films were unique for the artistic level he worked toward despite the typical subject matter he filmed. Some viewers will see the ending as more existential than unbelievable, and romantics may find little to complain about at all. Unfortunately, like many early films made in Hollywood, time has taken a toll on 7th Heaven. The ending is weakened by one too many climaxes, each one increasingly more preposterous. This mars an otherwise unique, naturalistic film; it's still one of the better late silent era films. The supporting players include Gladys Brockwell and George E. Stone making his film debut. *** of 4 stars.
The film, like many of Borzage's, is romantic, sentimental, and contrived beyond belief at times. However, the first pairing of Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell is somewhat magical, as they do have great screen chemistry. Like many silent films, some stars were either above the material they appeared in or elevated the material with their performances. 7th Heaven was such a film for Janet Gaynor. Charles Farrell was never much of an actor and relied mostly on his looks to carry him until the sound era revealed his voice did not match his rugged good looks.
In 7th Heaven, Gaynor and Farrell are ably directed by Frank Borzage who copped an Oscar for his direction. Writer Benjamin Glazer won the first of his two Oscars, basing the script on Austin Strong's play. Harold Oliver was also nominated for the terrific art direction, which evoked a French tenement area effectively. Janet Gaynor won the best actress Oscar for a combination of three of her performances: 7th Heaven, Sunrise, and Street Angel. The film itself was also nominated for best production. The cinematography, framing, and tracking shots add to the film immensely.
Borzage's films were unique for the artistic level he worked toward despite the typical subject matter he filmed. Some viewers will see the ending as more existential than unbelievable, and romantics may find little to complain about at all. Unfortunately, like many early films made in Hollywood, time has taken a toll on 7th Heaven. The ending is weakened by one too many climaxes, each one increasingly more preposterous. This mars an otherwise unique, naturalistic film; it's still one of the better late silent era films. The supporting players include Gladys Brockwell and George E. Stone making his film debut. *** of 4 stars.