Broken Blossoms

Title: Broken Blossoms
Year: 1919
Country: USA
Director: D.W. Griffith
Producer: D.W. Griffith
Genre: Drama & Romance
Runtime: 75 minutes
Viewed: June 7, 2010

Review: This movie is the now common tale of forbidden love. The main character a girl named Lucy is loved by "The Yellow Man." However, Lucy doesn't really know love or kindness because her father, a boxer, is extremely aggressive towards her. When the father gets angry in any situation he takes it out on the "weaker," his daughter, he whips her often. Overall, it makes sense the movie would be in the book because it does seem to kickoff what is known as "forbidden love." It is obvious that there was no protest against racism in films because they have a Caucasian play the "Yellow Man." As well, he is often referred to as Chink. What becomes interesting however is that when Lucy is in the care of Yellow Man she in kindness still calls him Chink by saying, "Why are you so good to me, Chinky?" Another first noticed in this movie is that there were prostitutes in the film, I'm not completely sure what the point was to them other then that Lucy should not become one. The girl seeks care after a beating and this is when Yellow Man really shows his love for her, but when the father finds out it is detrimental. All that to say the movie has an ending similar to that of Romeo and Juliet.

Rating:
2.75 Shamrocks
3 Soccer Balls

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