Horst_In_Translation Review of A House Divided

A House Divided (I) (1913)

Not enough, would be forgotten now if it wasn't for the director

[4/10 · 13 November 2018]

"A House Divided" is an American black-and-white movie from 1913 that runs for 13 minutes and was directed by Alice Guy, one of the most influential filmmakers, if not the most influential, during the early days of cinema. We may be moving closer to the years now where you could say that it should not be taken for granted anymore that films from over a 100 years ago were silent movies, but of course this one we got here is. The title sounds more serious than the film really is as it is basically a romantic comedy you could say. Two stars at the center of it all playing a couple struggling with each other through coincidence and the consequences are that they do not really live as a couple anymore in terms of talking to and hugging each other. The ending when we see them united again is kinda sweet, but that's it basically. The only thing really positive I can say here. A lot more negative. Film needed more intertitles, the two leads aren't that great, there is some overacting here and the more charming moments do not really belong to the core story, like the hidden affair between two minor characters early on. Also pay attention how kissing was still way too personal to be depicted on screen. The gun joke scene was not half as funny either compared to how funny it was intended to. So yeah, I am sure if it wasn#t for the trail blazing Guy in charge here, like I wrote in the title of my review, this one would have been long forgotten. only worth seeing for the really very biggest silent film enthusiasts. Thumbs down!