Greta Garbo was always a captivating actress and have felt that way ever since being moved to tears by her performance in 'Camille' (wonderful film too by the way), one of the finest of her time and one of the greats overall in my opinion. Clark Gable, here in a very early role, was a dashing and likeable actor equally adept at comedy (romantic and screwball) and serious drama. The subject matter also intrigued, as did seeing how Garbo and Gable would fare together.
Unfortunately, 'Susan Lenox' left me rather disappointed. It is far from an unwatchable film, there are great things here and like others have said it starts off so well. It doesn't though overall rise above "worth a one-time watch but only that" standard, with it agreed falling apart early on and never properly recovering. Garbo fans will not be disappointed by her (although it is one of her lesser films she is not one of the reasons as to why), but there have been far better representations of Gable.
'Susan Lenox' as said started off so well and actually thought to myself "this is going to be a great film". It is fantastically made visually throughout, a masterpiece of visual composition, Garbo's costumes are a feast for the eyes and the photography is both sumptuous and sophisticated. Complete with some interesting techniques and stylistic choices used without resorting to gimmickry. The lighting is very atmospheric and often of sheer beauty. The music fits with the film's tone very well, passionate without being overly so, and the direction is sympathetic yet in full command of the material.
Loved the tension and sensuality of Garbo and Gable's romantic chemistry in the early stages of the film, while the early portion has a quite daring subject matter that still hasn't become too tame by today's standards surprisingly. Other than the production values, Garbo is the main reason to see 'Susan Lenox'. Truly captivating from every emotion and gesture big and small and at its best it was quite magical.
Was less taken by Gable. He does do his best and he does likeable and sympathetic in the early parts of the film very well, but he does suffer from rushed character writing and when the character goes downhill (rather too quickly) Gable's strong brooding physique doesn't match this decline. Was not sure what to make overall of his chemistry with Garbo, it is great early on and they work beautifully together but if more time was taken to develop the relationship more it wouldn't have felt as choppy, as rushed or been as wildly inconsistent in cohesion. Only Jean Hersholt, suitably cruel without being overdone or darkening the film, stands out of the rest of the cast, a supporting cast that is not awful by any stretch but don't have a lot to work with.
Furthermore, 'Susan Lenox' really does suffer pretty badly from being too short, sometimes a film being short can be good and even necessary at times but with so much going on 'Susan Lenox' needed at least 20 minutes more. Too much happens and with too little time to tell it, and it certainly felt like it was intended to be much longer but truncated. With a longer length, the central relationship especially would have been better fleshed out, motivations would have been clearer rather than the viewer constantly asking "why did this happen", the storytelling would have been less cramped and careless, the choppiness wouldn't have been as big a problem and one wouldn't find it as hard to follow. Much of it is predictable and to me it didn't connect with me emotionally. The script can be a bit too clunky and overwrought and the characters are not given enough time to properly develop.
All in all, watchable for Garbo but loses its way too early. 5/10
Unfortunately, 'Susan Lenox' left me rather disappointed. It is far from an unwatchable film, there are great things here and like others have said it starts off so well. It doesn't though overall rise above "worth a one-time watch but only that" standard, with it agreed falling apart early on and never properly recovering. Garbo fans will not be disappointed by her (although it is one of her lesser films she is not one of the reasons as to why), but there have been far better representations of Gable.
'Susan Lenox' as said started off so well and actually thought to myself "this is going to be a great film". It is fantastically made visually throughout, a masterpiece of visual composition, Garbo's costumes are a feast for the eyes and the photography is both sumptuous and sophisticated. Complete with some interesting techniques and stylistic choices used without resorting to gimmickry. The lighting is very atmospheric and often of sheer beauty. The music fits with the film's tone very well, passionate without being overly so, and the direction is sympathetic yet in full command of the material.
Loved the tension and sensuality of Garbo and Gable's romantic chemistry in the early stages of the film, while the early portion has a quite daring subject matter that still hasn't become too tame by today's standards surprisingly. Other than the production values, Garbo is the main reason to see 'Susan Lenox'. Truly captivating from every emotion and gesture big and small and at its best it was quite magical.
Was less taken by Gable. He does do his best and he does likeable and sympathetic in the early parts of the film very well, but he does suffer from rushed character writing and when the character goes downhill (rather too quickly) Gable's strong brooding physique doesn't match this decline. Was not sure what to make overall of his chemistry with Garbo, it is great early on and they work beautifully together but if more time was taken to develop the relationship more it wouldn't have felt as choppy, as rushed or been as wildly inconsistent in cohesion. Only Jean Hersholt, suitably cruel without being overdone or darkening the film, stands out of the rest of the cast, a supporting cast that is not awful by any stretch but don't have a lot to work with.
Furthermore, 'Susan Lenox' really does suffer pretty badly from being too short, sometimes a film being short can be good and even necessary at times but with so much going on 'Susan Lenox' needed at least 20 minutes more. Too much happens and with too little time to tell it, and it certainly felt like it was intended to be much longer but truncated. With a longer length, the central relationship especially would have been better fleshed out, motivations would have been clearer rather than the viewer constantly asking "why did this happen", the storytelling would have been less cramped and careless, the choppiness wouldn't have been as big a problem and one wouldn't find it as hard to follow. Much of it is predictable and to me it didn't connect with me emotionally. The script can be a bit too clunky and overwrought and the characters are not given enough time to properly develop.
All in all, watchable for Garbo but loses its way too early. 5/10