Is The Good-Bye Kiss Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1928)

📖 The Core Premise

The Good-Bye Kiss stands as a 1928 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the various landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Sally (Sally Eilers) joins the Salvation Army in order to follow her boyfriend Johnny (Johnny Burke) when he's shipped off to fight in the First World War. When Johnny turns out to be a bit of a coward, Sally spurs him and his fellow soldiers on to heroism. The Good-Bye Kiss was noted at the time for being a Mack Sennett comedy played relatively straight, with plenty of plot and very little slapstick."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Johnny Burke attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good cinema. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The Good-Bye Kiss worth your time? If you appreciate various films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, The Good-Bye Kiss misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 90 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.