Seven Chances (EOTWS)

End Of The Week Shorts 30.2 extract: Seven Chances (1925)



Some of the greatest tracking shots of all film history come from Buster Keaton. 
With Seven Chances, Keaton brings together the comedy, chase and romance film with themes of marriage - which has been done before him, but, of course, not as well. It's great to see Keaton work with a kind of romance that focuses on inner conflict as well as the physical. The opening in particular then sets down a strong foundation for character (whilst letting Keaton play with transitions wonderfully as he does throughout the narrative). From this basis, though we know how things will play out, the comedy works as there is genuine tension as we do come to care about the two main characters. It is this focus on character that then makes this such a delightful watch. Highly recommended.

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