Forget that this is a slushy melodrama. Forget that the acting is in that early 30s style. Forget that this is about over privileged posh people. Just let yourself soak in this enveloping romantic gorgeousness.
A romantic melodrama, certainly one with Norma Shearer is not something I'd normally watch. If like me, you prefer your 30s movies gripping and gritty or realistic and edgy, this is the last thing you'll think you want to see. Just forget what you think you like and watch this because it's absolutely brilliant! Since none of you know me, I can admit to you all that this actually made me cry. I have either lost my mind or this is an outstanding emotional piece of cinema!
The story itself is hardly original, it's just your typical love triangle but it's done so well with so many unexpected twists: and turns. The script is a little over the top at times but the English language has rarely been used so beautifully to evoke such emotion. Although, unless you're a member of the aristocracy, there's nobody in this you think you will be able to relate to, everyone is surprisingly engaging - and that engagement happens instantly. It lasts a little longer than a lot of 1930s pictures but you will want it to keep going, it's very entertaining.
What you will discover, if you didn't already know, is what a truly fantastic actress Norma Shearer was. If you look at photos of Norma Shearer you'll think: the only reason someone so plain as that could be a big star was because she was married to the boss. She is not what you'd call pretty, or even moderately attractive. You can't imagine how someone with her looks could be a romantic lead.....but then she moves, then she speaks and it's it's like you're under a magic spell. You've got to see her in action because it's impossible to describe but this very ordinary looking woman transforms before your eyes into the most sensual and erotic epitome of sex you'll ever see. The level intimacy which she portrays with both Herbert Marshall and Robert Montgomery sometimes makes you feel almost uncomfortable - you feel like you've walked in on something private, something you think you shouldn't be seeing, something very real. The acting is outstanding.
It's directed by Edmund Goulding who also wrote this so he invested all his considerable directorial talent into making his little story as perfect as he could. He seems to be the ideal director to make such a picture about the love lives of the upper echelons of society but despite his outward persona as the archetypal refined English gentleman, he was anything but. This guy was THE party animal of Hollywood hosting parties which were infamous as being virtual orgies. If you've seen BABYLON you'll know what I mean. Whilst watching this you can't help wondering what would be going on in the bar after the filming was over.
Overall, even if you don't think you'll like this, if there's a small pilot light of romance in you, give this a go, it's a beautiful film.
A romantic melodrama, certainly one with Norma Shearer is not something I'd normally watch. If like me, you prefer your 30s movies gripping and gritty or realistic and edgy, this is the last thing you'll think you want to see. Just forget what you think you like and watch this because it's absolutely brilliant! Since none of you know me, I can admit to you all that this actually made me cry. I have either lost my mind or this is an outstanding emotional piece of cinema!
The story itself is hardly original, it's just your typical love triangle but it's done so well with so many unexpected twists: and turns. The script is a little over the top at times but the English language has rarely been used so beautifully to evoke such emotion. Although, unless you're a member of the aristocracy, there's nobody in this you think you will be able to relate to, everyone is surprisingly engaging - and that engagement happens instantly. It lasts a little longer than a lot of 1930s pictures but you will want it to keep going, it's very entertaining.
What you will discover, if you didn't already know, is what a truly fantastic actress Norma Shearer was. If you look at photos of Norma Shearer you'll think: the only reason someone so plain as that could be a big star was because she was married to the boss. She is not what you'd call pretty, or even moderately attractive. You can't imagine how someone with her looks could be a romantic lead.....but then she moves, then she speaks and it's it's like you're under a magic spell. You've got to see her in action because it's impossible to describe but this very ordinary looking woman transforms before your eyes into the most sensual and erotic epitome of sex you'll ever see. The level intimacy which she portrays with both Herbert Marshall and Robert Montgomery sometimes makes you feel almost uncomfortable - you feel like you've walked in on something private, something you think you shouldn't be seeing, something very real. The acting is outstanding.
It's directed by Edmund Goulding who also wrote this so he invested all his considerable directorial talent into making his little story as perfect as he could. He seems to be the ideal director to make such a picture about the love lives of the upper echelons of society but despite his outward persona as the archetypal refined English gentleman, he was anything but. This guy was THE party animal of Hollywood hosting parties which were infamous as being virtual orgies. If you've seen BABYLON you'll know what I mean. Whilst watching this you can't help wondering what would be going on in the bar after the filming was over.
Overall, even if you don't think you'll like this, if there's a small pilot light of romance in you, give this a go, it's a beautiful film.