Review of The Great Divide

Mackaill is natural, gutsy and pretty (a good friend of and with an uncanny resemblance to the much more beautiful Marion Davies) as always but even her commitment can't save this tired, conventional and totally predictable bore. All the other performances are bad, particularly Loy's. Sure her part stinks, but she is worse, much worst than the role she is given. I like Keith's stagy ways, but they don't help here. Not one thing happens in this movie that isn't telegraphed from the credits and the presentation (other than Mackaill's work) doesn't do a thing to freshen or enliven the construction or the dialogue. Musical numbers range from mildly eccentric (the male lead's two comic pals) to boring Mexicana. If a director's job is to control, coordinate and inspire the performances and create tension and pacing (it is), then the direction here is extremely deficient. For Mackaill fans only - and then with fair warning.