"Broken Blossums" is Still Devastating Despite Being Dated

We watch Broken Blossoms more for its artistry and historical significance than for its entertainment value. And true enough, watching a movie made pre-1920's can feel more like a chore than a good time and Broken Blossoms is at times incredibly hammy. But the way director D.W. Griffith makes the story come together in the final moments is still devastating. It's one part morality play and one part social commentary, and in order to sell home both, everything that could possibly go wrong does so spectacularly. Move past the blatant racism made apparent in details such as naming the Chinese character "The Yellow Man" and there's a surprisingly sympathetic portrait of an Asian character (even though played by a Caucasian, Richard Bathelmess) in a time when Asian hostility was huge. A character only marginally less sympathetic than the other tragic figure of Lucy (played by the wonderfully expressive Lilian Gish) who the Yellow Man takes in to care for after her abusive father (Donald Crisp) goes too far. It's mawkish and sentimental but there's a surprisingly good message about tolerance and the film's stylistic touches -- notably a mist effect -- stop its staged quality from feeling totally dry.    

Grade: A