John Gilbert's talkies do not have the best of reputations and a lot has been said about Gilbert not transitioning well into talkies. As well as his voice, with people being shocked at how that was how Gilbert really sounded like. It has often been said that they hurt his reputation, which was actually a pretty solid one in his silent films. Especially when partnered with peerless Greta Garbo, which was a match made in heaven.
While admittedly some of Gilbert's talkies were not too good and didn't serve him well, there were those that did show that the overall reputation his talkies got and have gotten was not a completely fair one and that not all of them are bad. Do agree actually that it was his personal problems that hurt his reputation more, anybody that had animosity with Louis B. Mayer as bad as that with Gilbert is enough to be a career-killer. A strong contender for the best of them is this, 'Downstairs'. Also to me one of his best films and that it contains one of his best performances too in one of his more demanding roles (he rarely had characters this amoral).
'Downstairs' does get too heavily melodramatic in places.
Also Paul Lukas doesn't always look completely comfortable in his part.
Gilbert however is absolutely terrific, deceptively charming but also sinister as one of his most demanding and interesting characters ever. Showing that he could indeed carry a film very well and that there was more to him than a co-lead. The supporting cast also do well, especially lovely Virginia Bruce and amusing Reginald Owen. Was more mixed on Lukas, but he did have his fun moments. The direction is always more than competent and the dialogue has hardly any awkwardness and has fun and tension. A lot of it is remarkably raw in an ahead of the time way even.
Likewise with the story on the most part, which was never dull and had energy and sense of danger in all the right places. Also didn't have to suspend disbelief anywhere near as much as with other pre-code films. The fight scene has intensity and one does remember the ending for a long time afterwards, not making the mistake of too many pre-code films of ending on a too pat note.. The camerawork didn't come over as static and the decor and costumes have a not overblown opulence.
Concluding, very well done and one of Gilbert's better talkies. 8/10
While admittedly some of Gilbert's talkies were not too good and didn't serve him well, there were those that did show that the overall reputation his talkies got and have gotten was not a completely fair one and that not all of them are bad. Do agree actually that it was his personal problems that hurt his reputation more, anybody that had animosity with Louis B. Mayer as bad as that with Gilbert is enough to be a career-killer. A strong contender for the best of them is this, 'Downstairs'. Also to me one of his best films and that it contains one of his best performances too in one of his more demanding roles (he rarely had characters this amoral).
'Downstairs' does get too heavily melodramatic in places.
Also Paul Lukas doesn't always look completely comfortable in his part.
Gilbert however is absolutely terrific, deceptively charming but also sinister as one of his most demanding and interesting characters ever. Showing that he could indeed carry a film very well and that there was more to him than a co-lead. The supporting cast also do well, especially lovely Virginia Bruce and amusing Reginald Owen. Was more mixed on Lukas, but he did have his fun moments. The direction is always more than competent and the dialogue has hardly any awkwardness and has fun and tension. A lot of it is remarkably raw in an ahead of the time way even.
Likewise with the story on the most part, which was never dull and had energy and sense of danger in all the right places. Also didn't have to suspend disbelief anywhere near as much as with other pre-code films. The fight scene has intensity and one does remember the ending for a long time afterwards, not making the mistake of too many pre-code films of ending on a too pat note.. The camerawork didn't come over as static and the decor and costumes have a not overblown opulence.
Concluding, very well done and one of Gilbert's better talkies. 8/10