"Suspense" is an American 10-minute short film from 1913, so this one is also easily over a century old and most people talking about it today do so because a female writer, director and lead actress weren't too common back then. Lois Weber is all that, but the real credit she deserves is not for her gender, but for this being a movie that was very good at times. It's a bit of a pity she is forgotten today pretty much despite how prolific she was. There are some really well-done camera shots in here, the keyhole early on and then the camera looking down repeatedly at the bad guy. The tramp in here is not at all the Chaplin equivalent whose only danger stems from his clumsiness, but a gruff knife-swinging badass. Weber included some character stereotypes that are very common today even: the violent criminal, the helpless victim, the savior (standing out from the police force) and the unsuspecting minor character that leaves the film early on right here. All in all, this was a good watch that had the exact runtime for being focused, yet never too long for its own good. I don't need to think twice whether or not give this one a thumbs-up. The answer is yes. Go check it out.
Review of Suspense
