A young, unfaithful wife and mother is thrown out by her cold, unforgiving husband, the Attorney General of France. She is barred from ever seeing her three year old son again despite her earnest attempts to make amends. For many years the mother seeks refuge overseas and in Absinthe. In the end, her son, a young and promising lawyer unknowingly defends her in court. Ruth Chatterton gives a marvelous performance in this early talkie in her portrayal of Madame X.

Ruth Chatterton
as Jacqueline Floriot

Lewis Stone
as Louis Floriot

Raymond Hackett
as Raymond Floriot

Sidney Toler
as Dr. Merivel

Carroll Nye
as Darrell, a Naval Officer

Eugenie Besserer
as Rose, Floriot's Servant

Chappell Dossett
as Judge

Claude King
as Valmorin, the Prosecutor

Richard Carle
as Perissard

John P. Edington
as Doctor
Frank F
A fantastic story and excellent performance, given that this is an early (1929) talkie. Yes, the film suffers from the technical limitations of the time (audio, fixed lenses and single camera shots) as well as an acting style which is in the transition from silent to talkie, but these are fairly eas...