Review of The Restless Sex (1920)
The Restless Sex, directed by Leon D’Usseau and Robert Z. Leonard, is a 1920 silent film that feels like a relic of its time, yet still resonates with a complexity that is surprisingly modern. Adapted from Robert W. Chambers’ 1918 novel of the same name, the film tackles themes of female independence, personal longing, and the clash between societal expectations and individual desires, a storyline that was undoubtedly progressive for its era.
At the center of the narrative is the character of Stephanie (played by Marion Davies), a woman who embodies the title’s restless spirit. Davies, a major star of the silent film era, gives a compelling performance that brings nuance to a character torn between emotional impulses and the rigid structures of love and marriage. The film is both a reflection of early 20th-century social mores and a foreshadowing of the shifts that would take place as women began to push back against prescribed gender roles.
Storyline: A Reflection of Shifting Times
Stephanie, an orphan raised by a wealthy aunt, is friends with Jim, a sculptor, and Wilmer, a prosperous businessman. The plot revolves around Stephanie’s internal conflict and external pressure to choose between the two men. However, The Restless Sex is less about romance and more about a woman’s struggle with autonomy and the desire to live a life not dictated by the whims of society.
Stephanie’s character represents a tension that was becoming more prevalent in American culture—women were beginning to assert their right to make choices independent of male authority. This film captures that shift in its portrayal of a woman who refuses to be easily categorized as a doting lover or a submissive wife. She is restless in every sense: emotionally, intellectually, and socially.
Throughout the film, Stephanie’s emotional journey is not confined to her romantic relationships but extends to her desire for self-actualization. In the end, she must decide whether she will marry out of convention or if she will break free from the societal expectations that hem her in. What makes this film intriguing is the ambiguity of Stephanie’s motivations. She is neither a pure heroine nor an entirely selfish figure. Instead, she is complex—flawed, frustrated, and searching for something that is perhaps unattainable within the confines of the world she inhabits.
Marion Davies’ Performance: A Study in Nuance
Marion Davies is often remembered for her comedic roles in films like The Patsy and Show People, but in The Restless Sex, she proves her ability to handle serious drama with great skill. Her portrayal of Stephanie brings depth to what could have easily been a one-dimensional character.
Davies embodies the titular restlessness with subtlety—there’s a constant flicker of indecision and yearning in her performance, whether it’s through the expressive use of her eyes or the tension in her movements. In scenes where Stephanie is conflicted between her love for Jim and her fear of being trapped in an unfulfilling life, Davies conveys an internal struggle that feels real and relatable.
One standout moment is when Stephanie finds herself staring into a mirror, torn between societal pressure to conform and her own instinct to rebel. This introspective moment, captured in a medium that often relied on grand gestures and over-the-top expressions, speaks to Davies’ ability to communicate volumes with restraint.
Though Davies is often overshadowed in modern retrospectives of silent film by actresses like Mary Pickford and Clara Bow, her work in The Restless Sex shows that she was an actress of considerable range.
Direction and Cinematography: The Influence of Robert Z. Leonard
The visual style of The Restless Sex is both typical of silent cinema of its time and indicative of the burgeoning influence of directors like Robert Z. Leonard, who would go on to direct some of Hollywood’s major stars, including Jeanette MacDonald and Norma Shearer, in the 1930s. Leonard’s direction, alongside Leon D’Usseau, gives the film an air of elegance, with a strong emphasis on mood and atmosphere.
The film uses symbolic imagery, such as mirrors and shadows, to reflect Stephanie’s emotional turmoil and her existential struggle. The camera lingers on her face during moments of deep reflection, creating a sense of intimacy that draws the audience into her psyche. For a silent film, The Restless Sex does a remarkable job of making internal conflict palpable, relying on expressive visuals rather than over-explanatory title cards to convey meaning.
While some of the pacing may feel slow to modern viewers, particularly in scenes that focus on social gatherings and lengthy character interactions, these moments serve as windows into the restrictions placed on women during this time. Stephanie is often surrounded by people, yet there is a distinct loneliness that pervades her existence. These scenes are beautifully shot, with Leonard making use of soft lighting and close-ups to enhance the emotional tension.
Themes: Restlessness as a Metaphor for Feminine Struggle
At its core, The Restless Sex is a film about choice and the consequences of those choices. It reflects the anxieties of women who found themselves at the crossroads of tradition and modernity in the early 20th century. The character of Stephanie is both a reflection of her time and a precursor to the modern woman.
Her restlessness is not just about love, but about her desire to define her own identity in a world that tries to do it for her. The film touches on themes of freedom versus obligation, independence versus security, and passion versus practicality. These are struggles that many women of the time faced as they began to enter the workforce, demand the right to vote, and redefine their roles in society.
There is also a critique of male dominance and the notion of marriage as a cage, which was still a radical idea in 1920. Both Jim and Wilmer represent paths that Stephanie could take, but neither offers her the freedom she truly desires. Jim, the artist, represents passion but also instability, while Wilmer, the businessman, represents security but also stagnation. The film leaves the question of which path Stephanie will ultimately choose ambiguous, which feels revolutionary in a time when many films were content to tie things up with a neat moral conclusion.
Cultural and Historical Impact
Though The Restless Sex may not have the same recognition as some of the more famous films of the silent era, it remains an important piece of cinematic history, particularly in its portrayal of a complex female protagonist. Released two years before American women gained the right to vote, the film feels like part of the cultural conversation around gender roles and female agency that was gaining momentum during this period.
Its themes of restlessness and the search for personal identity resonate even today. Modern audiences can still relate to Stephanie’s desire to break free from expectations and find a path that feels authentic. While the film is very much a product of its time, the questions it raises about love, autonomy, and fulfillment are timeless.
Conclusion: A Silent Gem Worth Rediscovering
The Restless Sex is a film that deserves more attention, particularly for its progressive portrayal of a woman grappling with the demands of society and her own internal desires. Marion Davies gives one of her most nuanced performances, and the direction by Robert Z. Leonard enhances the emotional depth of the story.
Though nearly a century has passed since its release, The Restless Sex offers a window into the past that still feels relevant, touching on themes that resonate with audiences today. For fans of silent cinema or those interested in early feminist narratives, this film is a gem worth rediscovering. It’s a thoughtful, well-crafted work that invites viewers to reflect on the nature of desire, the constraints of society, and the complexities of the human heart.
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