'Street Angel' had a good deal of good points. It was one of three films that garnered Janet Gaynor an Oscar that was groundbreaking for being a triple-film Oscar. It had Gaynor and Charles Farrell together again after being partnered with so beautifully in the superior '7th Heaven'. It saw the two stars together reunited with Frank Borzage in their second of three films, followed by 'Lucky Star', who specialised in the sentimental films where the characters had to face significant adversity.
While 'Street Angel' has a lot to admire and is pretty good overall, to me it was uneven and is by quite some way my least favourite of Gaynor, Farrell and Borzage's collaborations. My favourite being 'Lucky Star', that and '7th Heaven' were wonderful films whereas 'Street Angel' was only pretty good albeit with many superb elements. It is exceptionally well made, well directed, has a truly great central performance and starts strongly, but falters later and falls apart completely at the end.
Beginning with the many good things, 'Street Angel' looks great. It is beautifully photographed, both lush and atmospheric in both a romantic and gritty way. The lush romantic style Borzage started to develop not long before had fully developed it by this film and is evident throughout. Although a silent, there is use of sound through clever use of sound effects throughout and a quite sumptuous sounding music score that doesn't get too syrupy or mawkish. Borzage directs typically sensitively, though it is tauter in the generally superior first half.
The film has a great first half. It is incredibly charming, sweet without being sugary and has a light heart, while also having emotional impact. The pacing also felt tighter in the first half too. The supporting cast are solid. When it comes to the acting though, the clear standout is Gaynor. Whose very heartfelt performance really captivates and she has charming chemistry with Farrell who doesn't overplay and appeals enough on the whole.
He in my opinion was a lot more natural looking in '7th Heaven' and especially 'Lucky Star', there are moments of stiffness here and there were parts where he could have gone for it more.
More problematic is some of the second half, where things get rather turgidly paced and melodramatic, the sentimentality taken to wild extremes that it is barely palatable. The ending feels tacked on and too reliant on improbable coincidence.
On the whole though, while my clear least favourite of the Gaynor, Farrell and Borzage collaborations 'Street Angel' has a good deal to recommend and is pretty good. 7/10
