"The Navigator" - Film Review

Buster Keaton’s Rollo Treadway is, like many Buster Keaton characters, placed in the most unlikely of situations. He finds himself taking a trip on a ship mistaken for one owned by a nation the country is at war with. This leads to Rollo being in the wrong place, at the wrong time, when the ship is sent off to sea by international spies. One crazy happenstance after another has Rollo scrambling, scared and witless. But through it all is Keaton’s signature stoic, deadpan expressions as he quietly suffers through one situation after another.

Unlike Charlie Chaplin, the other most ubiquitous silent film comedian, Keaton was never one for emoting. The other actors around him certainly do, including Kathryn McGuire as the luckless female companion who accidentally ends up on the titular Navigator. But Keaton has since garnered attention for how understated his performances are. Zany things are frequently happening around him and yet he grins and bears it. Part of the film's charm comes from how reserved Keaton is at every turn. Also unlike Chaplin, Keaton’s movies frequently have a dry sense of humor. There’s subtle wit and sarcasm throughout The Navigator. After his engagement proposal is rejected, he refuses to get chauffeured around; instead claiming he plans to take a long walk to clear his mind. Cue him walking right back across the street to his house.  

The film is filled with some incredible setpieces, including notably the ship itself which was an actual passenger liner purchased by Keaton, and some impressive stunts by Keaton (who did all his own stunt work). Though it's not Keaton's best work, it's still has some great slapstick and surprisingly intense action, especially in the film's climax.

Grade: B+