Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Fast-paced drama to keep you on the edge of your seat!, May 27, 2004
After reading the other reviews about a melodrama and poor or unbelievable plot, I was pleasantly surprised to find this film much better than I had expected. I found the pace to be quite fast and you have to stay on your toes to keep up with each new development, and the plot seemed interesting, intricate and well-thought-out to me. Needless to say, Valentino's role is a highlight, but together with the unfolding of the story and other characters the whole film is quite enjoyable and even suspenseful as you wonder what will happen next and how it will end. Made in 1918, this film is a good example of silent films before 1920 or so, when a noticeable change took place and films became more sophisticated, smoother and more in-depth, especially with characters. For viewers unaccustomed to pre-1920 silent films it might therefore seem to be superficial or a bit rough, but I'm sure that anyone who enjoys a solid good story will also enjoy "The Married Virgin" as I did. This might also be a good point to keep in mind if you've seen Valentino in his later, more sophisticated films, but even here it's interesting to note his style, and his role as the slick, fortune-hunting Italian Count is a forerunner of some of his later playboy-type roles. As a movie in its own right, apart from Valentino, "The Married Virgin" stands as a quality drama, and despite some poor picture quality at times, it is still enjoyable and entertaining to watch, thanks to an excellent orchestral musical score. The bonus features are also worth while: an interesting excerpt from another early film with Valentino, and then some impressive and moving newsreel footage of Valentino's funeral.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Movie, December 16, 2002
By A Customer
I strongly disagree with the only other (lengthy) review that speaks very disparagingly of this incredibly good movie. This is the best silent I've ever seen and not just because of Valentino, albeit he is just great in it. The stepmother is superb and the two of them make an illicit love duo the like of which one has seldom seen in the movies, even to this date. When they sit clandestinely and grandly in the garden of her husband's estate, scheming away, it is just hilarious. Again, the stepmother is as good as anybody has ever been in this role, and is also a hell of alot better looking than the daughter. I also disagree that the film characters aren't fleshed out. They are totally, and in a very economical fashion. They are not at all stock characters. Even the lawyer boyfriend rises above his secondary role and also isn't too cloyingly good. Finally, the scenery and cinematography of this film are outstanding, featuring the old El Coronado hotel in San Diego, and swimming scenes. And of course, the car scene where the old 1918 roadster goes barrelling into the canyon has to be one of the first such car crash scenes and it's a hell of alot more realistic than most. So if you want to see what all the fuss was about Valentino, and watch a wonderful period silent film, this is the film for you. Therefore, I wish and hope that someone remakes this film. The somewhat unbelievable plot not withstanding.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Cheering for the bad guy, July 22, 2008
Okay it's rare that you cheer for the bad guy. But for this movie I'll make an exception. This is one of Rudolph Valentino's early movies (from 1918 I believe) and he plays the scheming Count Roberto. Of course you're supposed to be cheering for Mary (the "heroine") to find love and happiness. And I wanted to. I really did. Unfortunately I thought she was a pretty two dimensional twit. By the end I was actually hoping she might come to her senses and fall for Count Roberto. The plot would have been much more interesting. Sadly that doesn't happen.
Either way Rudolph Valentino's part is well acted and actually quite interesting. The rest of the cast is just okay but still watchable. I can't say this is the best silent movie I've ever watched but it's worth a view if you're interested in silents or Rudolph Valentino. Though his part is pretty restricted you can really see how good an actor he was. Like I said, I was cheering for the bad guy and that doesn't happen very often.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
