I'm not familiar enough with Oscar Wilde's play to able to comment on the film as an adaptation, but on its own merits there's much to enjoy about 'Lady Windemere's fan.' Preservationists have done fine work, and Charles Van Enger's crisp cinematography hasn't lost any hint of its quality, nor Ernst Lubitsch's sharp direction and editing. Thanks to these contributions we can see all the fine detail and hard work that was poured into the production, including terrific costume design, hair and makeup work, and set design and decoration. The cast all give fine performances to realize their characters - not specifically slanted toward comedy, but embracing the personalities and moods of the roles and letting the course of events speak for itself. It's rather hard to spotlight one actor over another, because at varying points they all impress, illustrating excellent nuanced range and poise. Although, with all this having been said, the casting of Irene Rich and May McAvoy are interesting choices, as a small additional layer of suspension of disbelief is necessary to accept that one is supposed to be the other's mother when there are only 8 years between them in real life.
Perhaps more substantively, Julien Josephson's adapted screenplay is a minor joy, and the writing is quite strong. There's nothing about 'Lady Windemere's fan' that leaps out so much as to demand praise, yet it's all-around solid. Characters are filled with plentiful little complications, both in and of themselves and in relation to each other, that do so much to build the drama. Factor in misunderstandings, lack of communication, humiliations, and the haughtiness of a judgmental society, and the stage is set for an engaging, fruitful narrative. The scene writing is rich and mindful as it capitalizes on the great acting of the ensemble, and weaves in notable subtleties to keep the feature all the more enticing and compelling. For that matter, though not a wholly essential element, there are many instances herein where Lubitsch's very shot composition lends much to the conveyance of the story; carefully considered, the fundamental visualization of some scenes can speak volumes in a moment, and so it is here.
Compared to other works of Wilde as a playwright, or Lubitsch a filmmaker, this title declines utmost farcical energy or outright laughs. The comedy in this case is the type borne of the roiling complexities, expectations, and foibles of the characters, but there are no explicit jokes or gags to accentuate it. As a result, a measure of drama is stirred into the plot as some beats are distinctly awkward or - from a place of empathy - sad, or infuriating. Yet it all comes together into a complete story that's entertaining, and satisfying, and even quietly rewarding. If not the most immediately grabbing picture, 'Lady Windemere's fan' nonetheless bears a spark of heartfelt humanity and brilliance that lets it shine brightly even almost 100 years later. Not every movie can claim a like degree of enduring value, so it's all the more gratifying that this holds up and is worth checking out after so much time. If you have the opportunity, these are 90 minutes that are very deserving of one's time.
Perhaps more substantively, Julien Josephson's adapted screenplay is a minor joy, and the writing is quite strong. There's nothing about 'Lady Windemere's fan' that leaps out so much as to demand praise, yet it's all-around solid. Characters are filled with plentiful little complications, both in and of themselves and in relation to each other, that do so much to build the drama. Factor in misunderstandings, lack of communication, humiliations, and the haughtiness of a judgmental society, and the stage is set for an engaging, fruitful narrative. The scene writing is rich and mindful as it capitalizes on the great acting of the ensemble, and weaves in notable subtleties to keep the feature all the more enticing and compelling. For that matter, though not a wholly essential element, there are many instances herein where Lubitsch's very shot composition lends much to the conveyance of the story; carefully considered, the fundamental visualization of some scenes can speak volumes in a moment, and so it is here.
Compared to other works of Wilde as a playwright, or Lubitsch a filmmaker, this title declines utmost farcical energy or outright laughs. The comedy in this case is the type borne of the roiling complexities, expectations, and foibles of the characters, but there are no explicit jokes or gags to accentuate it. As a result, a measure of drama is stirred into the plot as some beats are distinctly awkward or - from a place of empathy - sad, or infuriating. Yet it all comes together into a complete story that's entertaining, and satisfying, and even quietly rewarding. If not the most immediately grabbing picture, 'Lady Windemere's fan' nonetheless bears a spark of heartfelt humanity and brilliance that lets it shine brightly even almost 100 years later. Not every movie can claim a like degree of enduring value, so it's all the more gratifying that this holds up and is worth checking out after so much time. If you have the opportunity, these are 90 minutes that are very deserving of one's time.