The Best People

About This Movie

The Best People is a charming little slice of 1920s comedy and romance. The film dances around class boundaries with a light-heartedness that's quite refreshing. Bertie and Marian Lenox, the wealthy siblings, find their hearts tangled with outsiders—Bertie's infatuation with a chorus girl and Marian's affair with the chauffeur. The tone flits between playful and dramatic, as their family tries to steer them back into their prescribed social circles. You can really sense the era's societal expectations, and the performances have a lovely earnestness that feels genuine. The pacing is smooth, with comedic moments landing well, making it distinctively 1920s in its approach to love and class struggles.

The Best People remains a bit of an obscurity in the silent film realm, which adds to its allure for collectors. It has seen limited releases over the years, mostly in archival screenings and niche collections, making good copies quite rare. Its themes of class conflict and romance resonate even today, drawing interest from both silent film enthusiasts and those curious about early cinematic portrayals of social issues.