I DON'T WANT TO BE A MAN (Ich Mochte Kein Mann Sein) (1918) - ♦♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Ernst Lubitsch

Written by - Hanns Kraly, Ernst Lubitsch

Starring - Ossi Oswalda

"Variably cited as the great Ernst Lubitsch directorial debut, yet up to recent times largely forgotten or ignored. This film, whilst merely being a three reeler, is a fresh and daring slapstick comedy that already represents its helmer's wit, intelligence and incredibly smart sense of comedic timing as well as a playful approach to socio political satire.

But here, the playfulness is almost Shakespearean by nature. There are many things to be admired about this film, which sees the leading comedienne and pivotal character in the narrative reaching boiling point at social conventions failing to allow her to unleash her somewhat rebellious nature and deciding to become a man, at least by social standards.

This allows her to unleash a tomboyish side, which allows her to gamble, smoke cigars and give into manly vice at a social gathering but eventually also leads to a twist of events that lead to a sexual awakening. In graceful farcical "As You Like It" mode, I don't want to be a Man was made in 1918 during the days of champagne and cocaine, art deco and the second age of decadence and wealthy promiscuity being on the rise, Lubitsch far from shies away from allowing himself the luxury of letting sexual tension and taboo elements such as cross dressing and gender bending be a driving force in this film.

I Don't Want to Be a Man is quite simply cool, chic, decadent, daring, smart and very funny. The wealth of the beauty of the grand sets that covney the lavishness of the age in which the film was set echoes a maddeningly euphoric atmosphere that welcomes a coating of sheer extravaganza. But Lubitsch knows comedy, and as this film shows, from the very beginning knew how to push boundaries and possibly get away with thematic murder with creative and laugh out loud gags."

Comedy, Germany