In the 1910s and 20s, Mary Pickford was the biggest actress alive. Her movies were adored and when she and husband Douglas Fairbanks toured the world, they were the toast of every nation--including not just the UK and France but even the Soviet Union. And, although a Canadian, she was given the title 'America's Sweetheart'. Folks loved her in all sorts of films--especially ones where the actress played little girls and teenagers--though she was WAY too old to be playing such parts. It didn't matter...EVERYONE loved her. Because of this, I can only assume that either she thought the public would like her in ANYTHING, so let's make a pile of crap film like "Kiki" or perhaps she simply was trying to commit career suicide. All I know is that I adore most of her films...but think that "Kiki" is among the most annoying films I have ever seen! I wonder how folks back in the day thought of it? Well, considering she only made a few sound films, it possibly could have been that folks finally were tiring of her.
The single biggest problem with "Kiki" is that the film was VERY dated. As a silent picture, it might have worked--mostly because you wouldn't have had to LISTEN to Pickford and her horrendous French accent. To say it was broad and overboard is a great understatement. She is to French accents like Jethro Bodine was to country accents in "The Beverly Hillbillies"--it was THAT strong and over the top. Heck, Pepe le Pew seems far more restrained than she did in the film. And, like in her films where she played children, her Kiki is often petulant and childish--which worked fine in 1918 or 1920. Here, though, she just seems like a....well, IMDb won't let us put the B-word in our reviews! Oddly, she's supposed to be cute...she certainly isn't! Because of these things, it's difficult not to thoroughly hate her or the sound of her voice. Oddly, however, Reginald Owen's character is inexplicably drawn to this demanding, annoying and selfish woman in the film. Why? I have no idea...but can only assume his character was meant to be insane! And, equally insane is the audience in the film that watch her stage performance and adore her histrionics. None of this makes any sense and it seemed that the character is about as one-dimensional and dislikable as any I can recall. Overall, this is a truly horrible film--not just because Pickford was so bad but because it builds up so much ill-will in the viewer! I have long adored her films and would place her films like "My Best Girl", "Suds" and "Daddy Long Legs" among the best silents. But, try as I might, I hated "Kiki" and never want to see this awful film again! Loud, brash, unsubtle and annoying...all adjectives you'd never think to associate with 'America's Sweetheart'!
The single biggest problem with "Kiki" is that the film was VERY dated. As a silent picture, it might have worked--mostly because you wouldn't have had to LISTEN to Pickford and her horrendous French accent. To say it was broad and overboard is a great understatement. She is to French accents like Jethro Bodine was to country accents in "The Beverly Hillbillies"--it was THAT strong and over the top. Heck, Pepe le Pew seems far more restrained than she did in the film. And, like in her films where she played children, her Kiki is often petulant and childish--which worked fine in 1918 or 1920. Here, though, she just seems like a....well, IMDb won't let us put the B-word in our reviews! Oddly, she's supposed to be cute...she certainly isn't! Because of these things, it's difficult not to thoroughly hate her or the sound of her voice. Oddly, however, Reginald Owen's character is inexplicably drawn to this demanding, annoying and selfish woman in the film. Why? I have no idea...but can only assume his character was meant to be insane! And, equally insane is the audience in the film that watch her stage performance and adore her histrionics. None of this makes any sense and it seemed that the character is about as one-dimensional and dislikable as any I can recall. Overall, this is a truly horrible film--not just because Pickford was so bad but because it builds up so much ill-will in the viewer! I have long adored her films and would place her films like "My Best Girl", "Suds" and "Daddy Long Legs" among the best silents. But, try as I might, I hated "Kiki" and never want to see this awful film again! Loud, brash, unsubtle and annoying...all adjectives you'd never think to associate with 'America's Sweetheart'!