Taking on a simple and stereotypical plot "Asphalt" brings on melodrama through an Expressionist lens. A striking femme fatale takes on the profession of thievery using her charms and wiles. When the law catches up her feminine flair for seduction saves her temporarily as tragedy inevitably follows. Fine acting and directing make this vintage timepiece worth the watch and of course, Betty Amann. Her doe-eyed, porcelain complexion and mannequin-like features are among the most memorably attractive in cinema history. And the glimpse into the Jazz Age with the fashion, automobiles and its distinct and unique vibe is a world of charm in itself. The pedestrian plot and the film's inability to transcend it make this quite the dull and tedious slog despite its watchability and the touchingly moving ending. An interesting relic from one of the most fascinating eras in world history this aesthetic in black and white still holds up.
Review of Asphalt
