Rosita (1923)

So much average

Just perfect...

Good concept, poorly executed.

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

"Rosita" is an enjoyable film--even with its faults. After all, think about the notion of having Mary Pickford playing a Spanish temptress! But despite this, the film is decent breezy entertainment and a change of pace from the typical roles played by this silent star.The film is set sometime in the 18th century. The King is a bit of a dirty old man and, as usual, is up to no good. In this case, a priest talks about how wicked a local festival has become--so the King has to go to 'investigate'. His investigations add up to him falling in love with a fiery temptress, Rosita. He orders his men to abduct her--though a very honorable Captain sees what's happening and jumps to her defense--and is sent to prison for his troubles. When Rosita meets the King, he showers her with jewels and a castle and his intentions are mostly dishonorable. But, he seems willing to give her anything she wants--and she wants the Captain out of prison. What's next? Well, a lot of treachery and a happy ending that pops out of no where.Like so many of Pickford's films, the sets are top-notch and it's an excellent production all around. In fact, Allied Artists even went to the trouble of bringing one of Germany's best directors to do this one and Ernst Lubitsch was on hand to give it his famous touch. My only complaint, other than the odd casting of Mary, is that the film seems a bit lightweight--though it is certainly fun.

Pickford is impressive as the poor peasant entertainer with whom the King becomes ridiculously obsessed. Having seen some of Pickford's earlier 'little girl', romanticism movies this was a refreshing change and demonstrates how she was able to extend her range given the opportunity, utterly convincing as she is playing the fiesty young rebel as a woman with attitude. She reminded me of our contempory performers such as Madonna. Always amusing and beautifully composed by Lubitsch, whilst not a classic a highly enjoyable film.

Legends abound concerning the contentious on-set relationship between superstar Mary Pickford and director Ernst Lubitsch during the filming of Rosita. Despite Pickford's later efforts to keep the film out of circulation, screenings of the picture revealed a delightful surprise: the great German filmmaker had provided Pickford with her wish -- the showcase for a juicy role miles away from her "little girl with the curls" persona. Only the tiniest indications of what would later evolve into the "Lubitsch touch" exist in the tale of a street singer who rises to prominence in the court of a philandering king (skillfully portrayed by Holbrook Blinn), but Rosita is a handsomely mounted production with charm, wit, and plenty of romance to spare.

I'm sorry, but the audience who rejected this movie in 1923 were right: Mary Pickford just can't play it sexy. Neither is she convincing as a fiery ridiculer of authority. Her usual childlike impishness is sorely out of place here; when the king lusts after her, you have to suspect him of child molesting tendencies. However, the movie does have its funny moments, in a very Lubitsch way; the amusing efforts of the king to avoid the monogamous-minded queen make up for some deficiencies.