Sunrise On a Strange Relationship

Sunrise (1927)

Director- F.W. Murnau

Starring- George O'Brien, Janet Gaynor, Margaret Livingston

A farmer's affair with a city girl (Livingston) has strong repercussions when, after having lured him once again from his home for a lakeside tryst, she pleads with him to live with her in the city.

Anses (O'Brien) is tempted but reluctant, so the city girl suggests he murder his wife, Indre (Gaynor) and make it look like an accident. Anses agonizes over the decision all night, deciding by morning to carry out the grim deed. He offers to take his wife for a boatride, and though she seems weary of his demeanor, she agrees in the hopes that he's trying to salvage their relationship.

Once out far enough on the water, however, she realizes his intentions as he lunges at her. He gets close enough to strangle her, then sees by the fear he's inspired what a monster he's become. Once back on land, Indres flees back into town with Anses close behind, pleading for her forgiveness. It isn't until they find themselves crashing a wedding in progress that she finally forgives him, and everything afterward becomes honky-dory. They hit he town, enjoy a fair, then take a boat ride home.

During the ride home, a storm hits, and Indres is thrown from the boat. Anses believes her dead, and when he hears the familar whistle of the city girl he once thought he loved, he goes crazy and tries to strangle her. Thankfully he's informed his wife is still alive and runs to her, and the two live happily ever-after.

The scripting was presented on screen very creatively (like the letters 'drown her' waving across the screen into the water), the music had an ominous tone, and the movie itself is impressionistic--something Murnau was a master at in his movies. Having the 'villian' whistle a mysterious tune (though you can't hear it in this movie) is something he would employ in M just a few years later. The characters used facial expressions well, and I was surprised to see that even hairdressers in the 1920's were effeminate.

I could have done without the second half, however. I understand how well the movie came together by the end, especially showing Indres floating on the very reeds Anses had tied together to use himself when he killed her. I just didn't like the super-happy second half and ending.

Despite the second half, though, I loved the movie for Murnau's talent for setting a disturbing mood.

Rating: 4/5 Bonedaddies.