While the ending of "City Girl" is rather poor, it still is a film well worth seeing, as it shows just how artful a silent film can be. While this was, for the most part, directed by the famous F.W. Murnau of "Nosferatu" fame, this film seems to have little in common with this early horror classic. Instead, it's one of Murnau's tales of the common man--something he excelled at in the late period of his too-short life.

The film begins with a young man, Lem, in the big city to sell his family's wheat crop. It's obvious that his very controlling father has very little confidence in the young guy and when he returns from the trip, the jerk of a father holds two things against him. First, the price of the wheat crop was very low and he blames Lem for this. Second, Lem returns with a new bride and while it's never certain why, the father instantly hates the lady--thinking she married him for his money. Considering that the family owns a large farm, this makes little sense as I'd think few city gals would want to move to the middle of no where! In fact, the father's character is THE problem with the film. While the film is breathtaking with its rich cinematography, the angry dad never made sense---especially since late in the film he miraculously changes--welcoming his new daughter-in-law into the family!! How much of this hole-ridden plot is the fault of Murnau, I have no idea as the studio substituted another man at the helm at the last moment--and the final product perhaps was NOT his vision. I do know that artistically, what I loved about the film was undoubtedly his vision--as it bears the marks of his style. The film is simple and gorgeous from start to finish--as Murnau had quite the eye for the craft.

When it comes to silent film directors, FW Murnau is absolutely one of the best and most influential. His lesser work, such as 'The Haunted Castle', is still watchable, and his best work such as 'Faust', 'The Last Laugh' and 'Sunrise' is masterpiece level. He was a truly brilliant director (whose premature tragic death was a big loss) and very interesting and quite consistent, with his films being visually stunning and full of interesting themes and great atmosphere.

His penultimate film 'City Girl' is not among Murnau's best or one of his milestones, other films of his have a bigger influence in cinema (i.e. 'Sunrise', which this film has been compared to on occasions). It is still a very, very good, and often great, film with so many brilliant things and is a visual and directorial triumph. If the story was stronger as that does bring the film down somewhat (not massively though),'City Girl' would have been even better as it had all the makings of being a cinematic classic.

As said, 'City Girl's' weak link is the story, which is very simple, at times barely existent, and some plot points have been used such a lot in film that it felt narratively on the predictable side due to not having many surprises or much new. The ending especially can be seen from quite some distance off and seemed a little neat.

On the other hand, the story is also very charming and elegant and really liked its restraint. Some of it is very moving too. The characters are interesting and don't come over as caricatures and the conflict has tension, they are also acted with intensity and sincerity without being histrionic. Mary Duncan gives her role a lot of life and pathos in a beautifully understated way and Charles Farrell does show that while slightly too innocent (which is more to do with the role in a way) that he could do good performances outside of his pairings with Janet Gaynor. My favourite performance of the film came from David Torrence, giving his meaty father figure plenty of stern intensity that is smouldering at its best while not overacting.

The music has a lot of charm and poignancy to it too which was perfect for 'City Girl's' tone. The biggest stars though are the visuals and the direction. Murnau's direction is nothing short of exemplary, Murnau's direction is some of his most accomplished, keeping things moving in a way that is never dull, maintaining a grippingly poignant and restrained atmosphere throughout.

Even better is the way 'City Girl' looks. Simply put, the film looks amazing still, the use of light and shadow is quite masterful and the settings are sumptuous and not too stagy. Best of all is the cinematography, which is so gorgeously expressive and some of the absolute best of any recent first time viewing.

Concluding, very, very good indeed. 8.5/10

A Minnesota farm boy who has had no experience outside the farm, goes to Chicago to the board of trade on a responsible errand for his father. His father is a humorless, abusive character. Everyone lives in fear of him. When Lem meets a waitress and marries her, there is hell to pay on the farm. The father actually slugs her during a confrontation. Because Lem decides in favor of his family, Kathy, the young woman, is left in a terrible situation. The farmhands make life horrible for both of them. It's a movie about reawakening with Murnau's incredibile cinematic touch.