Silent black and white films emphasize the importance of physical motion and facial emotion. These films are an art in themselves, sparkling remnants of the developing film industry.
"Lonesome" is a film that has the energy to convey a message without sound. The film still maintains its allure but becomes much more energetic and concrete with instrumental accompaniment. Friday's screening of "Lonesome" at Spaulding Auditorium was greatly enhanced by the presence of the Alloy Orchestra.
The Alloy Orchestra consists of three musicians -- Terry Donahue, Caleb Sampson and Ken Winokur. This trio has played at the Telluride Film Festival for the last two years, winning critical acclaim for their ability to provide the audience with appropriate musical renditions for well known silent films like "Metropolis" and "Lonesome." At Friday's performance, this amazing group did a wonderful job in keeping with the film's artistic momentum.
"Lonesome" is set in the bustling city of New York, which reflects the irony of solitude as suggested by the title of the film. The monotony of daily, mechanical interactions in New York become a bore for the two main characters of the film. But it is also a place for a random encounter of two perfect strangers living such a life in the city.
Mary, a telephone operator, and Jim, a machine operator, both wished that they had someone to be with so they would not always return to their empty apartments everyday.
Director Paul Fejos skillfully emphasized their solitude by focusing on their behavior when they are at home and with friends. The constant physical movement in the film further stressed the magnitude of solitary life. The inability to meet other people due to the steady demands of work left little time for personal entertainment.
One day, however, when both the main characters were extremely bored, they decided to go to Coney Island to take a break from everyday life. At Coney Island, both characters meet by chance. The instant that Jim set eyes on Mary, he falls in love.
The film depicts several scenes where Jim tries to speak with the young woman and finally succeeds in doing so when he follows her to the beach. They spend most of the day together but they are unfortunately separated later that night.
The setting became ominous as the emotional anguish of both characters was displayed through the storm. They look for each other despite the harsh winds and cold rain, but their search is to no avail. They finally return to their apartments, with only small instant photo shots taken at a booth, a small reminder of the happy moments they shared.
The irony of the film takes place at the end when both emotionally, lovesick individuals are reunited once they discover that they live next door in the same apartment building.
Throughout the film, the Alloy Orchestra provided the audience with powerful and incredible sound reproductions. They enhanced the film's emotional aspects by rendering strong instrumental sounds for the appropriate scenes.
The audience was electrified by the vibrancy and soaring lyricism of their music. The Alloy Orchestra complemented "Lonesome" in a way that dialogue could not have. A standing ovation at the end of the film was well deserved and a fitting tribute to this classic.
