7th Heaven (1927) (Movietone)

7th Heaven. Janet Gaynor (Diane), Charles Farrell (Chico)

Seitsemäs taivas / Sjunde himmeln. US © 1927 Fox. D: Frank Borzage. SC: Benjamin Glazer, Frances Marion – based on the play by Austin Strong. DP: Ernest Palmer. Songs: "Diane" (Ernö Rapée, Lew Pollack), "Seventh Heaven" (William Perry, Ronn Carroll).
    Starring: Janet Gaynor (Diane), Charles Farrell (Chico). Movietone 120 min.
    Viewed at SEA, Orion, Helsinki 25 Jan 2005.

Borzage's first grand poem of love set in a stylized studio Paris where the lovers rise literally from the sewers towards heaven, the attic apartment where they are near the sky. WWI breaks out, and Chico is believed dead, but he comes back blind, yet "My eyes are still filled with you". This celebration of l'amour fou is moving because of Borzage's total sincerity. There is an interesting parallel to this in Un long dimanche de fiancailles. ****