Sex

Digitally preserved from film reels almost a century old, Sex (1920) is a near-mythical entry in the annals of “salacious” silent cinema. Directed with indulgent exuberance by Fred Niblo and starring the sultry Louise Glaum, Irving Cummings, and Peggy Pearce, this early silent film serves up an elaborate concoction of drama, wrath, temptation, seduction, and societal mores.

Sex features Glaum in the driving role as Adrienne Renault, a rich, glamorous, and unapologetically manipulative Broadway starlet. Given her status and beauty, she has a flock of men at her command, including the faithfully enamored Chip Collins, portrayed aptly by Irving Cummings. In contrast to Glaum's bold and booming presence, Cummings carries his role with a certain understated charm, effectively playing the entranced admirer to Adrienne's assertive and manipulative diva.

Peggy Pearce makes her mysterious appearance as a cunning vixen poised to exploit the vicissitudes of love and loyalty. Her presence injects a tonal shift in the narrative that revitalizes the story’s momentum just when familiarity threatens to set in. The interaction between these elaborately constructed characters forms the cornerstone of the story, leading the audience on a punishingly delightful journey through an array of emotional twists and turns.

The narrative, nuanced with its setting mirroring the Roaring Twenties' glitz and glamour, explores themes of power, deceit, love, and betrayal. And where melodrama is required, the director doesn't shy away from deploying the exaggerated expressions and gestures of the time. There are scenes where Glaum's provocative smile and Cummings' swooning gaze are caught in extended, poetic frames. This masterfully emphasizes the sheer emotional intensity of their encounters.

The film also leverages meticulously designed sets and keenly crafted set pieces lending a sense of opulence and extravagance to the narrative. Similarly, the costumes, varying from sleek evening gowns to razor-sharp tuxedos, replicate the spirit of the era. The cinematography breathes life into the monochrome canvas with thoughtful play of shadows and light, elaborating both on the psychology of characters and the dynamics of their relationship.

Sex, though produced in the silent era, introduces a profound discourse on the role of women in a male-dominated society and explores how the construct of 'feminine wiles' was used in a game of love and power. Adelaide Heilbron’s script teases out fluid performances and revelatory moments from the leads, making for a potent commentary on the gender dynamics of that era.

However, this film does not skirt from controversy. Many scenes were considered risqué for the time, stirring a substantial amount of controversy for its unabashed portrayal of sexuality. A substantial amount of criticism was aimed at how the female lead uses her sexuality to manipulate men to her will, which was an audacious character depiction for cinema in the 1920s.

Nontraditional in every sense of the word, this audacious film flaunts a decadence and allure that are equally matched by its provocative themes and compelling performances from the lead cast. Sex was certainly more than just a film in its era—it was an audacious cinematic endeavor that led to profound dialogues about gender roles, sexual dynamics, and the power interplay between sexes.

The lure of Sex transcends beyond its alluring title or scandalous reputation—it is a film that not only embodied the risqué aspect of the 'roaring twenties,' but also dared to hold a mirror to its audaciousness. It’s quintessentially an avant-garde example of early cinema that dared to leave its mark amidst the restrictive norms of its time. For those interested in silent films of the early 20th century, or those who merely relish in the bold portrayals of complex female characters, Sex is a must-watch for its narrative vividness and dramatic excesses. Be it the stunning performance from its star, Louise Glaum, or stimulating the societal conversations of its time, Sex promises to captivate viewers from start to end.