That film from the thirties, perhaps because of its short length (75 minutes), avoid the too slow pace typical of the films from that era. Then it prevents us from losing our interest in the middle of the story.
Speaking of the story, it touches me for the simple fact that everybody in life has its ups and downs, often because of our own fault, unable are we to deal with the intensity of human feelings sometimes! Love and revenge are certainly the main feelings felt by the principal characters, the former producing the latter here. Both are the reasons for the fall AND the rise just as in real life! Such intensity for someone else may seem old-fashioned nowadays, so that film may appear dated to some, and it is, mostly in its presentation, but certainly not in its themes.
Personally, I relate to both Garbo's and Gable's characters in their way of feeling love for the other to the fullest no matter the toll it may take on oneself! Having risen while being in love at the same time before falling for some years because of that intensity of sentiments before being kind of born again after the healing was done, I certainly relate 100% to that story, dated or not. Even the title alone really touches a really sensible chord of mine each time I hear it simply because...well, been there, done that! As for the actors, Greta Garbo could never go wrong with any part. So here, besides being her beautiful and soulful self, she communicates her intense feelings for Rodney mostly through her eyes and movements, her lines being quite reduced here to great effect. One can see through her movements the uneasiness of her character. Bravo! And Gable is Gable: strong, masculine, credible. As powerful as Garbo in terms of presence and personal charisma, which was rare among all her leading men.
See it. Even done so many decades ago, it is still very effective. Enjoy.
Speaking of the story, it touches me for the simple fact that everybody in life has its ups and downs, often because of our own fault, unable are we to deal with the intensity of human feelings sometimes! Love and revenge are certainly the main feelings felt by the principal characters, the former producing the latter here. Both are the reasons for the fall AND the rise just as in real life! Such intensity for someone else may seem old-fashioned nowadays, so that film may appear dated to some, and it is, mostly in its presentation, but certainly not in its themes.
Personally, I relate to both Garbo's and Gable's characters in their way of feeling love for the other to the fullest no matter the toll it may take on oneself! Having risen while being in love at the same time before falling for some years because of that intensity of sentiments before being kind of born again after the healing was done, I certainly relate 100% to that story, dated or not. Even the title alone really touches a really sensible chord of mine each time I hear it simply because...well, been there, done that! As for the actors, Greta Garbo could never go wrong with any part. So here, besides being her beautiful and soulful self, she communicates her intense feelings for Rodney mostly through her eyes and movements, her lines being quite reduced here to great effect. One can see through her movements the uneasiness of her character. Bravo! And Gable is Gable: strong, masculine, credible. As powerful as Garbo in terms of presence and personal charisma, which was rare among all her leading men.
See it. Even done so many decades ago, it is still very effective. Enjoy.