Do get a lot of enjoyment out of Buster Keaton's short films, while tending to prefer marginally the best of his feature films. Although some are better than others (which you do expect from anybody), they are a lot of fun to watch and there are some brilliant ones. A big part of their appeal is Keaton himself, as well as those jaw dropping stunts which he did all by himself(!), which isn't known as an icon in comedy and film for nothing.
To me, and many others it seems, 'Daydreams' is not one of his best. From personal opinion it's one of his lesser efforts, while still being well worth watching (as is the case with all Keaton's silent short and feature films, less so when he transitioned into sound). Keaton is on good form, as are his stunts, and 'Daydreams' does contain two of his best ever sequences. It is sadly though also severely flawed in the story department, which is not as coherent as much of his other work.
Instead, 'Daydreams' did feel very fragmented and incomplete, it was clear that there were things intended to be there but left out which does affect the coherence.
Pacing tends to be erratic too, sometimes having a jumping around feel and at other times it drags as a result of the story being too thin. While much of the short is amusing and charming, it does feel like something is missing. The spark and invention is not always quite there.
Keaton though has great comic timing and is athletic and expressive as usual. Renee Adoree is adorable without being bland and their chemistry is charming and light-hearted. The atmosphere of 'Daydreams' is light-hearted and good-natured, despite the imperfections of the story. The gags are amusing, if not always hilarious, and two of Keaton's best ever sequences are here.
One is the one on the steamboat wheel, but even better is the police chase, which is quite hilarious and ingenious. Have no issues with the photography, which is lovingly fluid. Nothing is choppy about the way 'Day Dreams' is shot and edited.
Concluding, fragmented but with a lot to recommend. 7/10
To me, and many others it seems, 'Daydreams' is not one of his best. From personal opinion it's one of his lesser efforts, while still being well worth watching (as is the case with all Keaton's silent short and feature films, less so when he transitioned into sound). Keaton is on good form, as are his stunts, and 'Daydreams' does contain two of his best ever sequences. It is sadly though also severely flawed in the story department, which is not as coherent as much of his other work.
Instead, 'Daydreams' did feel very fragmented and incomplete, it was clear that there were things intended to be there but left out which does affect the coherence.
Pacing tends to be erratic too, sometimes having a jumping around feel and at other times it drags as a result of the story being too thin. While much of the short is amusing and charming, it does feel like something is missing. The spark and invention is not always quite there.
Keaton though has great comic timing and is athletic and expressive as usual. Renee Adoree is adorable without being bland and their chemistry is charming and light-hearted. The atmosphere of 'Daydreams' is light-hearted and good-natured, despite the imperfections of the story. The gags are amusing, if not always hilarious, and two of Keaton's best ever sequences are here.
One is the one on the steamboat wheel, but even better is the police chase, which is quite hilarious and ingenious. Have no issues with the photography, which is lovingly fluid. Nothing is choppy about the way 'Day Dreams' is shot and edited.
Concluding, fragmented but with a lot to recommend. 7/10