'7th Heaven' is the first of three films with Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell paired together with all three films being directed by Frank Borzage. The other two being 'Street Angel' and 'Lucky Star'. Like those two films, this film's title is immediately appealing and the story sounded really relatable. One that certainly played to Borzage's strengths, a common theme of his in his early work being love fighting against and triumphing over adversity, and also Gaynor's.
Of Gaynor, Farrell and Borzage's collaborations, my personal favourite is actually 'Lucky Star'. But '7th Heaven' is a very close second, the Oscars garnered richly deserved and for me it was a better film than the film that won Best Picture that year 'Wings' (which is still very, very good, but this film connected with me more somehow). Gaynor and Borzage are on top form and Farrell showed with them that he did had potential of being a bigger star when the material was particularly good. Some may find fault with the story sure, and that aspect was not perfect here, but so much works brilliantly here.
Will get the not so good things out of the way. The story can be too coincidence-heavy and the ending did feel tacked on.
However, '7th Heaven' looks beautiful. The lush romantic style that Borzage was developing in the lead up to this film was very much evident here and by 'Street Angel' it was developed fully. The photography is lush and often dazzles, making the sets and costumes even more beautifully elegant than they already are, while also having a lot of atmosphere. Borzage directs typically sensitively and intelligently, not allowing the film to become too lightweight or too heavy.
'Lucky Star' has more subtlety and is lighter when it comes to the writing, but '7th Heaven' is still intelligently written and sympathetic. The story is immensely charming, carried by the already luminous chemistry between Gaynor and Farrell that blossomed with each film, and very moving. The battle scenes still impress and while the story was not quite as relatable as 'Lucky Star's' the same amount of emotional connection is here.
The characters are identifiable and one roots for them to overcome their trials. Gaynor is luminous in looks while also giving a very heartfelt performance that earned her a deserved triple film Oscar (a first). Farrell is similarly restrained but never dull, he brings a lot of heart to the film. The two work beautifully together.
All in all, great. 9/10
