In this poignant film, journalist HL Mencken shares a dinner with Rudolph Valentino just days before the actor's untimely death. Valentino seeks Mencken's counsel after being criticized for allegedly emasculating American men, and he demands that Mencken tell the truth. As they converse, Mencken uncovers the anguish of a refined man forced to navigate crass and unsophisticated surroundings, while Valentino comes to realize the futility of his own life. Ultimately, Mencken concludes that even in the midst of crowded chaos, one must remain alone and isolated.
Good Night Valentino
The candid conversation between journalist H.L. Mencken and silent film star Rudolph Valentino delves into the profound influence of Valentino's captivating on-screen presence on American conceptions of masculinity.
