Movie spotlight
My Cousin
Sincere but struggling sculptor Tommasso (Caruso--bushy moustache, gawky) works in an ornamental plaster shop, but his masterpiece on the side is a bust of his cousin Caroli (Caruso--no moustache, polished), who is the Metropolitan Opera's leading tenor. Tommasso hopes to marry his model Rosa, but her father, restaurant owner Pietro, wants her to find someone more settled and money-conscious, such as the greengrocer Lombardi down the street. Tommasso, he says, throws away his money, such as for a pair of tickets to take Rosa to the opera to see his famed cousin. After the opera, the cousins cross paths in the swanky Galeotto's restaurant, but when neither recognizes the other, Tommasso is generally mocked and Rosa believes him a liar and unworthy. Tommasso must recover his reputation and make a sale, preferably the Caroli bust to his cousin, in order to win Rosa back.
Insights
Plot Summary
In this silent short comedy, a young woman receives a visit from her cousin, who has a penchant for mischief and causing chaos. The cousin's antics lead to a series of humorous mishaps and misunderstandings, much to the exasperation of the woman and those around her. The film follows the escalating comedic situations as the cousin's visit spirals into delightful pandemonium.
Critical Reception
As a silent short from 1918, specific critical reception is difficult to pinpoint. However, films of this era, particularly comedies from studios like Keystone, were generally designed for popular entertainment and relied on physical comedy and slapstick to amuse audiences of the time.
What Reviewers Say
A lighthearted silent comedy relying on familiar gags.
Typical example of early 20th-century slapstick humor.
Features predictable but generally amusing comedic situations.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this 1918 silent short is not available.
Fun Fact
The film was produced by the Nestor Film Company, one of the earliest movie studios in Hollywood.
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