Hollywood in the 1920s was a golden age of elegance mixed with delectable scandals that kept audiences and gossip columnists equally entertained. "The Kiss," released in 1929 and directed by Jacques Feyder, is an intriguing relic of this era that pokes at morality like a bear with a stick and manages to evoke unexpected emotions and controversy in a time when conservative views were wrestling with the advancing tides of liberal thought. The film stars the exquisite Greta Garbo, an actress whose on-screen charisma could enchant even the most stolid of critics. What unfolds is a tale drenched in deception, sloppy kisses, and the kind of drama that would make a soap opera look tame by comparison.
As the last silent film of Garbo’s repertoire, "The Kiss" embodies what happens when glamour and passion collide. Set in the opulent backdrop of France, it follows Irene Guarry, portrayed by Garbo, who is trapped in a loveless marriage with her wealthy but brutish husband. Cue André Dubail, played by Conrad Nagel, a suave family friend who becomes the object of her affection. And let’s not forget Pierre, the impressionable young fellow played by Lew Ayres, who stumbles into their tangled web. When you stir these ingredients together with a liberal (oops, that word!) dose of deceit and temptation, you get a love triangle ripe with the kind of high drama that had audiences in rapturous uproar.
Garbo's Mesmerizing Performance: Greta Garbo was not called 'The Divine' for nothing. Her performance in "The Kiss" exemplifies her ability to evoke emotion without uttering a single word. Her expressive eyes tell a story that dialogues sometimes struggle to convey. There’s a reason she was consistently a box office draw; Garbo knew how to command attention and capture hearts.
A Silent Era Finale: This film marked the end of an era—the silent film era, to be precise. When "The Kiss" was released in 1929, the cinematic world was on the brink of a huge transformation. Sound was about to revolutionize Hollywood, and Feyder’s film became a fitting swan song to silence, with its gorgeous artistry before the talkies took over entirely.
Themes of Morality and Forbidden Love: It's no surprise that a film dealing with infidelity and questionable morality in relationships would cause a stir. "The Kiss" pushes boundaries, depicting a woman caught between societal obligations and personal desires, mirroring a decadent age where the temptations to defy convention were always within arm’s reach.
An Unforgettable Kiss: At a time when on-screen kisses were still scandalous territory, this film presented such an affair with precision. It played into the voyeuristic tendencies of its audience, inviting them to see the forbidden up-close. In the realm of classic cinema, "The Kiss" lives up to its title. It wasn’t simply a kiss on screen; it was two souls clashing against the constraints of their own circumstances.
The Art of Non-verbal Communication: Some would say that the challenge of silent films was in their ability to convey message and emotion without spoken dialogue. "The Kiss" unfolds this artistry beautifully, using camera angles and Garbo’s subtle yet intense facial expressions to tell its story.
A Fashionable Affair: A glance at this film reveals so much about the fashion and styles of the late 1920s. For lovers of vintage fashion, this film is a feast for the eyes. Garbo, with her bob haircut and glamorous wardrobe, epitomizes the flapper era’s style and panache—a true revolutionary look for women that represented newfound freedoms post-World War I.
Subtle Cinematic Techniques: Director Jacques Feyder’s ability to capture nuances was unparalleled. His direction is skillfully understated, allowing the actors, especially Garbo, to shine organically. You witness the psychology of his characters without needing a magnifying glass; their intentions are always close to boiling over at the surface.
An Emotional Score: Although a silent film, the accompanying score plays a key role in setting the film’s tone, accentuating the dramatic interplay of characters. Music is the voice here, and it is as pivotal as the dialogue itself would be in subsequent eras.
A Cinematic Snapshot of Society: "The Kiss" offers more than entertainment; it serves as a window into an era where society was beginning to openly question the conventions of the past. This narrative about seeking personal happiness, despite societal strictures, spoke volumes to audiences, pushing back against the tides of a changing world.
A Timeless Classic: In a world that craves nostalgia and has embraced sequels and remakes, films like "The Kiss" remind us of a time when cinematic magic required artistry, vision, and a stadium of brains working together. It stands as an eternal reminder that storytelling is an art that transcends time, language, and societal shifts.
"The Kiss" is an enchanting piece of cinematic history that challenges traditional narratives while providing a glimpse into the life and career of Greta Garbo. It’s a piece that provokes thoughts—whether you’re conservative or otherwise—and continues to captivate audiences even decades after its release, showcasing the timeless allure of Hollywood’s silent era.