Beggars Of Life (1928) :
Brief Review -
Perhaps the only love story that has been ruled by the side character's legacy and tragedy. Beggars Of Life is nothing new; it's your old Romeo and Juliet tale with a crime angle. A girl murders her father, who has been forcing himself on her, and then is accompanied by a man who is off to hook a train. To hide from the law, the girl has to dress like a man, but still, it doesn't help much. The two are then surrounded by a gang that might or might not help her, as the girl has a reward in her name. The wannabe leader, Okalhama Red, is that side character I'm talking about who takes charge of the rest of the narrative. First he behaves like a bad man, and then, when the girl provokes him, he drops the toughness. He realises that these two are in love and has a change of heart. So changed that he later becomes the sole reason for their happiness, but does he get the credit? Well, that's where Beggars of Life is far ahead of its contemporaries. It's far smarter than the rest of the love stories of that time. I have never seen a love story from the silent era in which the supporting character is given so much importance that he almost changes the narrative into two parts and leaves you with two thoughts. Happiness and tragedy strike at the same time-that's how a metaphor is created there. Beggars of Life gives a much-needed twist and a much-needed boost to your old-school love story of two runaway lovers. There have been so many adaptations of this classic idea, but no film has managed to surpass it. I am not sure if I can call Wallace Beery a supporting actor or a lead actor. He is outstanding. A villain, a sidekick, a hero, and the reason who gives a new shape to the story-what a rare mix for any character of that time! Louise Brooks and Richard Arlen's chemistry works on a level. A great love story from the maker of "Wing," the William A. Wellman. Need I say more?
RATING - 7.5/10*
By - #samthebestest.
Perhaps the only love story that has been ruled by the side character's legacy and tragedy. Beggars Of Life is nothing new; it's your old Romeo and Juliet tale with a crime angle. A girl murders her father, who has been forcing himself on her, and then is accompanied by a man who is off to hook a train. To hide from the law, the girl has to dress like a man, but still, it doesn't help much. The two are then surrounded by a gang that might or might not help her, as the girl has a reward in her name. The wannabe leader, Okalhama Red, is that side character I'm talking about who takes charge of the rest of the narrative. First he behaves like a bad man, and then, when the girl provokes him, he drops the toughness. He realises that these two are in love and has a change of heart. So changed that he later becomes the sole reason for their happiness, but does he get the credit? Well, that's where Beggars of Life is far ahead of its contemporaries. It's far smarter than the rest of the love stories of that time. I have never seen a love story from the silent era in which the supporting character is given so much importance that he almost changes the narrative into two parts and leaves you with two thoughts. Happiness and tragedy strike at the same time-that's how a metaphor is created there. Beggars of Life gives a much-needed twist and a much-needed boost to your old-school love story of two runaway lovers. There have been so many adaptations of this classic idea, but no film has managed to surpass it. I am not sure if I can call Wallace Beery a supporting actor or a lead actor. He is outstanding. A villain, a sidekick, a hero, and the reason who gives a new shape to the story-what a rare mix for any character of that time! Louise Brooks and Richard Arlen's chemistry works on a level. A great love story from the maker of "Wing," the William A. Wellman. Need I say more?
RATING - 7.5/10*
By - #samthebestest.