"Love" is an American 23-minute short film from 1919, so two more years only and this one will have its 100th anniversary. The writer, director and lead actor is Roscoe Arbuckle, one of the biggest stars of the silent film era back then who also appeared in many many short film before a scandal cut his career short. This is probably not one of his most known, but one of his better works I believe. He also has great screen presence too and with his physical appearance may at times be more memorable than Keaton and Chaplin, even if he did not achieve their popularity. Still, in this film here he was overshadowed a bit by the supporting cast and with that I am referring to basically everybody except Westover who had not really much material to work with other than look pretty. Frank Hayes was great as always and Al St. John (the second big name) also convinced me with his very little screen time. Monty Banks shone at the very end and I believe he is more than a poor man's Chaplin. Katie Price was delightful in the first half of the film, especially the scene when she and Fatty talk about her looks and weight. Overall, a cute story with a perhaps too simplified happy ending, but that's nothing uncommon in Arbuckle short films. It still feels good. I was entertained and this means something as I am not the biggest silent film lover. Thumbs up and I recommend the watch.
Review of Love
