While the story is sentimental and a bit flat, the atmosphere of this 1920 drama is phenomenal. The first half is set in the New York Jewish ghetto of the 1900s, and the film does not shy away from the grubbiness and claustrophia of the setting, while also emphasizing the strong sense of community and intimacy between the characters. I find many films from the 1910s and early 1920s excelled at showing this side of life, which became scrubbed down during the height of the glamorous studio era between the late 1920s and 1950s.
As for the rest, HUMORESQUE is alright. The performances are sensitive and the story is a sweet tale of the power of familial love. The ending is rushed, though I suspect there's missing footage from the 70-minute print I watched on YouTube.
As for the rest, HUMORESQUE is alright. The performances are sensitive and the story is a sweet tale of the power of familial love. The ending is rushed, though I suspect there's missing footage from the 70-minute print I watched on YouTube.