Coquette (1929)

Winner of 1 Academy Award:

Best Actress

Mary Pickford

It won 1 Oscar out of a total of 1 nomination in 1928-29.


Coquette is a drama of the American South about a flirtatious southern belle and the company she keeps.  After winning the heart of a gentleman that her father disapproves of, the couple defies the father's wishes and plans to marry.  Discovering their intentions, a confrontation turns ugly, and a death sentence awaits someone.  But can the testimony of a little coquette save this person, or bring him to justice?

Reports say that Mary Pickford was accused of "unfairly" winning her Academy Award by strongly lobbying for it and using her status in the industry to sway voters.  It must be noted that, despite these claims, she was critically acclaimed for her performance at the time.

This was the first talkie for silent film star, Mary Pickford, and it allowed her to successfully transition into sound films after the picture was a box office success.


Editorial:

This movie works in the same fashion as a play, which makes sense, as it was based on a play.  But as a film, it deviates away from a lot of conventions that are so attached to storytelling through films.

The best example I can give is this:  most of the action takes place in the home of Mary Pickford's character.  Even when there are two critical events in the story-line that take place elsewhere - the cabin of her suitor - they are never shown.  Despite their significance to the plot, they are merely alluded to through dialogue between the characters at the coquette's home.  At first, it seemed that it was simply impossible to secure the set for these cabin scenes, but this does not appear to be the case, as the cabin setting appears later in the film.  As a viewer, this is confusing.  The film could be a lot more interesting had they shown the two scenes that seemed worth watching.

Score  |  03/10  |  This motion picture may be worth trying.