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John Barrymore, 'the Great Profile', is often said to be one of the greatest of all actors, although the only real work we have to go on are his 1930s MGM movie appearances, which often slip into caricature. However, back in 1920, Barrymore still had his looks and his acting ability as both Jekyll and Hyde cannot be doubted in this involving and stunning adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's oft-filmed tale.
As the women in his life, Nina Naldi portrays the dance hall singer and Martha Mansfield (who would so tragically die during filming of one of her later features in 1922) is Millicent Carew, his intended. Neither make that much of an impression, but are adequate.
It is the little touches that matter in this film. Shadows, close-ups, looks and gestures. It may not be as overtly sensual as the 1931 March version, but it is certainly chilling.
score 7/10
didi-5 4 April 2008
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1851648/ |
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25-2-2021 05:01:35