FILM CRITIQUE

Sunrise (1927)

Sunrise (1927)

Plot and Genre Summary

A simple story with a genre of drama and romance is narrated in the movie, and names are not provided to the characters. The film is about the struggle of values and the decision either to live in the city or village. The characters in the film are "The Man" (George O'Brien), "The Wife" (Janet Gaynor), and "The Woman from the City" (Margaret Livingston). The man is a married farmer and he as a summer affair with the woman from the city because of which she suggests him to kill his wife, sell his farm and live in the city with her. Therefore, a plan is formulated by the man, and the woman from the city and he plans to travel to the city with his wife, and to drown her, and portray it as an accident. The man was reluctant but eventually he agrees; however, he is unable to accomplish the task. When the two reach the shore, the wife senses that something is wrong and flees from her husband. However, the man catches up with her and asks for forgiveness after which they rediscover their love and spend the rest of the journey together. However, the boat overturns the boat after which the man reaches safety but assumes that the wife drowned. After this incident when the woman from the city comes to the farm, the man turns to her with murderous rage. However, soon after this, it is discovered that the wife has been found waterlogged but alive.

Theme Writing

The film is the first Hollywood feature of Murnau, and it is known as the best silent films that have been ever made. It is a realistic film, and many technological achievements have been noted, however, emotional power has been ignored. The movie is ...