Movie spotlight
Common Sense
Dan Bowers, embittered and disillusioned by an unhappy marriage, seeks solitude in the Maine woods, with a lame dog as his only companion. One day he meets Violet Manners who, with her invalid mother Marion, is visiting in a nearby village. Marion is haunted by memories of the past, and one day when Violet takes Dan to meet her mother, she discovers that he is the husband who deserted her years ago. The shock causes Marion's death, but before she dies, she justifies her past behavior toward Dan. -From the AFI Catalog of Feature FIlms.
Insights
Plot Summary
In this silent film, a young woman named Bess works tirelessly to support her family and pay off her father's debts after his passing. She faces the unscrupulous business dealings of a wealthy landowner who attempts to take advantage of her precarious situation. Bess must use her wit and determination to navigate the challenges and protect her family's legacy.
Critical Reception
As a silent film from 1920, specific critical reception data from that era is scarce. However, films of this genre typically focused on melodrama and moral lessons, aiming for broad audience appeal. Katherine MacDonald was a popular actress of the silent film era, suggesting the film likely garnered attention for its star.
What Reviewers Say
Melodramatic story of a virtuous young woman overcoming adversity.
Features a strong female lead navigating a corrupt patriarchal society.
Emphasizes themes of hard work, family loyalty, and moral integrity.
Google audience: As a silent film from 1920, there is no available audience review data from Google.
Fun Fact
This film is considered a lost film, meaning no known copies exist today, making it impossible to screen or re-evaluate its artistic merits.
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