It's fair to wonder whether the star's reputation, her status as an icon, doesn't immediately put at a disadvantage those around her. Much about this film is striking right from the outset, absolutely including gorgeous production design and art direction. Other cast members make an impression right away, including not least Lucien Littlefield, whose animated portrayal of Cupido is an early delight, and Ricardo Cortez, who commands great presence as he brings Rafael to life. The hair and makeup work, and the costume design, is utterly terrific. The story is readily enticing. And still it's Greta Garbo, in her first Hollywood film, who shines the brightest, lighting up the screen with splendid nuance and personality even from the first moments we see her. Could it be that her legendary renown colors our perception? But also - does it really matter? One way or another, 'Torrent' gets our attention right from the start, and it's easy to fall in love with the picture.
Not uncommon to the silent era especially, at times there's such a distinct directness to the plot that it butts up against suspension of disbelief. Ultimately this isn't a major inelegance, however, and otherwise the narrative advances with a natural fluidity that's more welcoming than some other silent titles could claim. More to the point, the story is rich and engrossing. It's to the credit of screenwriter Dorothy Farnum (and I presume author Vicente Blasco Ibáñez) that even as the feature plays with beats of major drama, and big themes and ideas, the presentation remains light on its feet, keeping us handily engaged without need to, as it were, pause for effect. True, the light humor peppered throughout helps, as do the broad airs of romance, yet between the writing and Monta Bell's deft direction there's a delicate touch to the proceedings even at their most ponderous that makes the movie easier to watch than it might be if the full weight of the saga were emphasized. Whether this is a strength or weakness of 'Torrent' is a reasonable question, though for my part, in this case I think the balance is just right to serve the film well.
To all this add effects that are truly outstanding, holding up well even almost 100 years later among the best that cinema has had to offer in all the time since. I wouldn't say that this is entirely perfect: excellent as every component part is, nothing about the picture leaps out and grabs us; as well as it keeps us watching, this perhaps falls short of being wholly spellbinding. Again, too, I must mention the somewhat blocky brusqueness in some instances of plot development - never completely dampening the viewing experience, but notably cropping up at multiple points throughout these ninety minutes. Thankfully, all such possible critiques nonetheless remain small next to the absorbing story the feature has to offer. And I would say as well: for whatever ways in which this isn't totally remarkable, what may actually stand out about 'Torrent' the most (Garbo's U. S. debut aside) is the ending, which feels so very different from the considerable majority of most silent films generally, and even more than that, most romance flicks.
This may not be a title that entirely demands viewership; save for diehard cinephiles or devotees of the silent era, this probably isn't a must-see. It's well made in every regard, however, with subjective flaws that are minor in comparison to the pleasant entertainment otherwise, and arguably a tad easier to digest for those who don't tend to favor older films. If you have the opportunity to watch 'Torrent,' this is well worth checking out!
Not uncommon to the silent era especially, at times there's such a distinct directness to the plot that it butts up against suspension of disbelief. Ultimately this isn't a major inelegance, however, and otherwise the narrative advances with a natural fluidity that's more welcoming than some other silent titles could claim. More to the point, the story is rich and engrossing. It's to the credit of screenwriter Dorothy Farnum (and I presume author Vicente Blasco Ibáñez) that even as the feature plays with beats of major drama, and big themes and ideas, the presentation remains light on its feet, keeping us handily engaged without need to, as it were, pause for effect. True, the light humor peppered throughout helps, as do the broad airs of romance, yet between the writing and Monta Bell's deft direction there's a delicate touch to the proceedings even at their most ponderous that makes the movie easier to watch than it might be if the full weight of the saga were emphasized. Whether this is a strength or weakness of 'Torrent' is a reasonable question, though for my part, in this case I think the balance is just right to serve the film well.
To all this add effects that are truly outstanding, holding up well even almost 100 years later among the best that cinema has had to offer in all the time since. I wouldn't say that this is entirely perfect: excellent as every component part is, nothing about the picture leaps out and grabs us; as well as it keeps us watching, this perhaps falls short of being wholly spellbinding. Again, too, I must mention the somewhat blocky brusqueness in some instances of plot development - never completely dampening the viewing experience, but notably cropping up at multiple points throughout these ninety minutes. Thankfully, all such possible critiques nonetheless remain small next to the absorbing story the feature has to offer. And I would say as well: for whatever ways in which this isn't totally remarkable, what may actually stand out about 'Torrent' the most (Garbo's U. S. debut aside) is the ending, which feels so very different from the considerable majority of most silent films generally, and even more than that, most romance flicks.
This may not be a title that entirely demands viewership; save for diehard cinephiles or devotees of the silent era, this probably isn't a must-see. It's well made in every regard, however, with subjective flaws that are minor in comparison to the pleasant entertainment otherwise, and arguably a tad easier to digest for those who don't tend to favor older films. If you have the opportunity to watch 'Torrent,' this is well worth checking out!