Ninotchka
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Movie Reviews of Ninotchka
Movie Review: Garbo sparkles
Summary: 4 Stars
The magic touch of director Ernst Lubitsch is all over this classic romantic comedy, Greta Garbo's second-last film, about an icy Russian Communist agent sent on business to the fair city of Paris, but who ends up falling hook line and sinker for the decadent delights that only Paris can provide.
Ninotchka (Greta Garbo) is an uptight model of Communism in action. Her gradual transformation from rigid reformist to carefree Parisian socialite is a delight to behold. The script (by Billy Wilder, Charles Bracket and Walter Reisch) is crisp and filled with sparkle and wit. Greta Garbo, in her only Hollywood comedy role (if you don't count the disastrous TWO FACED WOMAN), glows. After years of being typecast in dramatic and (often) melodramatic roles. NINOTCHKA allowed Garbo to play both comedy and drama, as her character evolves during the story. Garbo's longtime costume designer Adrian decked Garbo out in some of her most beautiful gowns, and the score by Werner R. Heymann is outstanding. With Melvyn Douglas, Ina Claire, Bela Lugosi, Sig Ruman and Felix Bressart.
Warner's new DVD (part of the Greta Garbo Signature Collection) sadly skimps in the extra features department (only the trailer is included), but for fans of the film, and collectors of the Hollywood classics, this disc is a good purchase.
Movie Review: THE BEGINNING OF THE END
Summary: 4 Stars
.....Some air head at MGM decided to cash in on the Screwball Comedy craze by casting Garbo in her first comedy role. Though Garbo did a good job with her straight faced delivery the Garbo mystique was ruined and her next picture would prove to be her last.
.....Garbo was the victim of some very bad advice and her own success. Unlike stars like Ingrid Bergman, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, Garbo was independently wealthy and did not ever have to work again so she walked away at the the first sign of declining popularity.
.....I liked the picture but I had a problem with Melvin Douglas as the romantic lead. Douglas was a fine actor but paled in Garbo's shadow. Cary Grant or Clark Gable would have been better choices.
.....Gable made a remake with Hedy Lamarr called COMRADE X a few years later and it was a box office success.
Movie Review: Ninotchka
Summary: 4 Stars
At first I thought it was a little corny, but later on some of the small elements started to get to me (for example the scene where they are preparing the omlets is great). Its good, not great, you may want to give it a rental before buying, hope this helps!Movie Review: Perfect tangible Garbo but another crummy print
Summary: 3 Stars
Many of the films of the legendary Greta Garbo do not withstand the test of time. Often, she is the luminous centre in contrived and artificial surroundings. "Ninotchka" is a notable exception. The reason is that in this case, Garbo had a great director (she thought her best) and a contemporary story which made her much less exotic and unattainable. This film, accordingly, was her greatest hit and she is superb.
Directed perfectly by Ernst Lubitsch, Garbo sets the tone for a warm and glowing comedy about a Russian communist who melts under the influence of romance and Paris. Melvyn Douglas plays opposite her in a beautifully judged light hearted performance, a brilliant counterpoint to her solemnity. The supporting cast is outstanding.
The DVD looks like it has not been restored and there are no extras except an original trailer. That makes the DVD expensive for what is on offer - typical of so many of the MGM films on offer on DVD and disappointing. To learn more about the film, it should be purchased as part of the one of the Garbo Sets which contain documentaries about the star.
Movie Review: Garbo Is Good; Movie Is Fair
Summary: 3 Stars
When I saw this about 15 years ago on VHS, it was my first look at the famous Greta Garbo and I was impressed She was a pretty woman who exhibited class and intelligence, reminding me of Ingrid Bergman, although not as pretty.
There are a number of subtly-funny lines in here which kind of characterizes the film: okay bit a little slow-moving and not what it could be if it just had a little more a spark to it. The dialog from Melvyn Douglas and Ina Claire really dates the film. Douglas, as he was in a lot of movies I've seen with him, is not a likable guy. He can be very annoying, but some of that is because he's doing such a fine acting job.
"Ninotchka" develops into a nice romance story in the second half of the movie with a short, satisfying ending and a pointed comment about living in Russia, at that time, as opposed to a free country.
If you've heard about Garbo, and never seen her, this is a good place to start!