Miss Lu Lu Bett (1922)
1h 10m
Misfit spinster Lulu Bett finds herself trapped as a servant for her overbearing family.
Based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play and novel, Miss Lulu Bett (1922) explores themes of female independence and societal expectations through a unique lens.
Director William C. deMille utilizes techniques uncommon for the time. Interior monologues, conveyed through intertitles and expressive acting by Lois Wilson as Lulu, delve into the character's inner thoughts and frustrations. This approach challenges the silent film's typical focus on external action and dialogue.
Furthermore, the film employs innovative camerawork. Close-ups on Lulu's face emphasize her emotional turmoil, while Dutch angles and distorted perspectives create a sense of unease that reflects her stifled life. These techniques hint at the emerging German Expressionist style gaining traction in cinema.
Miss Lulu Bett's significance lies in its exploration of feminist themes and its experimentation with narrative techniques. It stands as a bridge between traditional silent film and the burgeoning era of more subjective and expressive filmmaking.