Carmen is the story of a soldier (Harry Liedtke) who is on track to have a good life. He is engaged to a nice girl, and he just got a promotion, so he will be able to provide for his new wife. However, on duty he stumbles upon a woman of ill repute (Negri) and is so completely enchanted that he leaves the military, abandons his fiancée, and resorts to a life of crime to support himself and his gypsy lover. She quickly tires of him and moves onto the next best thing.
This is the fourth Pola Negri film I've seen, and I do not understand her appeal. She isn't terribly attractive, which is essential for this role so we can understand why the soldier destroys his life for her. Although Negri was a trained dancer, she clumps around devoid of a shred of grace and her "seductive" dancing is laughable. Because the film lacks a charming leading lady, there is very little to rave about. Even though Ernst Lubitsch directs, there is very little sex appeal. The setting is dirty and destitute, and although the film is short it doesn't feel like it.
This is a classic story, so if you want to familiarize yourself to feel more cultured, go ahead and watch but keep your expectations low.
This is the fourth Pola Negri film I've seen, and I do not understand her appeal. She isn't terribly attractive, which is essential for this role so we can understand why the soldier destroys his life for her. Although Negri was a trained dancer, she clumps around devoid of a shred of grace and her "seductive" dancing is laughable. Because the film lacks a charming leading lady, there is very little to rave about. Even though Ernst Lubitsch directs, there is very little sex appeal. The setting is dirty and destitute, and although the film is short it doesn't feel like it.
This is a classic story, so if you want to familiarize yourself to feel more cultured, go ahead and watch but keep your expectations low.