Camille

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Kyle M @RT77296778 Aug 5 Greta Garbo’s divine performance elevates this tragically passionate love story, as well heightens the sympathetic tendencies, but her mere showcase is the only rising affect while the rest of the film was uneventfully anchored down into a nonchalant breeze. (B-) See more David K @RT61474040 Jul 30 Garbo is spectacular but after watching an entire month of period films, the movie itself didn't get me WOW-ing it. Nothing against the production, though. See more Tamara K @Tamarak 10/22/2024 Garbo at her best. Robert Taylor at his most handsome. What's not to like. See more ChrisCSH H @RT12343453 03/09/2024 "Camille" is a very heartfelt and ultimately sad romantic love story that is played beautifully by Greta Garbo as Marguerite Gautier and Robert Taylor as Armand Duval. The way that the two playoff each other throughout the film is the true heart of the entire picture, and Greta Garbo's performance as a sick Marguerite is Hart felt, but she plays it so elegantly that you would never really know that the character is not well throughout the entire film, and with what ultimately happens in the picture where she shows her true love to Armand to deny her love for him, so he would not be troubled by her death is truly beautiful. See more Leaburn O @RT35452347 02/15/2024 I love silver screen cinema but this is diabolically bad. Difficult to get through as the pace is so turgid. The acting is woeful as I've come to expect from Greta Garbo anyway. Sits on many lists of cinema classics but I've no idea why. It is junk and deserves to be forgotten. Watched on DVD. See more Matthew D @OceanSage 05/28/2023 Greta Garbo is magnificent as Camille! American director George Cukor's black and white romance drama Camille (1936) is a wonderfully romantic picture. Cukor's direction captures the splendor of French salons in Paris with a resplendent frivolity as well as the natural paradise of the scenic French countryside. His tender direction always sympathizes with Camille's plight for health, wealth, or love. I was quite shocked at the tragic ending, but came away thinking Greta Garbo is really a phenomenal actress capable of nuanced emotions. Writers James Hilton, Frances Marion, and Zoe Akins adapt author Alexandre Dumas fils, son of The Three Musketeers author Alexandre Dumas, with real heart. Camille is a devastating tragedy of a love that cannot be, despite these lovers being perfect for one another. Camille actually reminded me of Cold War and The Age of Innocence. Tender, affectionate words comfort these star-crossed lovers. Swedish actress Greta Garbo is mesmerizing as the gorgeous French lady Marguerite Gautier. Her money mad socialite feels depressed with a demure femme fatale quality. She can be vivacious and flirty, then suddenly melancholic in an alluring way like only Greta Garbo can fascinate you. I adore Garbo in Camille. She's pretty with a captivating beauty, funny as she exploits men for money to keep up Camille's lavish lifestyle, and romantic with a realistic tenderness. Garbo is brilliant at portraying sorrow, regret, concern, and earnestness. Her wry smile, fun loving partying, sorrowful eyes, and melancholic manner portray Marguerite in a truly sad romantic heroine. American actor Robert Taylor plays the jealous suitor and adoring lover both quite well as the handsome and charming Armand Duval. Robert Taylor is very young and so plays Armand's naive nature well because he cannot tell when Marguerite is sincere or teasing him. He's got an authentic romantic chemistry with Greta Garbo that feels passionate and loving like they were meant to be together. American actor Lionel Barrymore is smart, nice, and cautious as Armand's father Monsieur Duval. English actress Elizabeth Allan is very sweet and pleasant as the bride Nichette. American actress Jessie Ralph is entertaining as Marguerite's meddling maid Nanine, who is always giving advice and trying to match make for her. English actor Henry Daniell is shrewd and cruel as the not very romantic interest Baron de Varville. You can tell he thinks he loves Marguerite, but only seeks to own her, so she just uses him for money. I liked how Daniell plays the Baron with the knowledge she's using him for money, until he explodes in anger in a sudden slap and mean words. He feels twisted and cruel like rich men that think they can buy love. American actress Lenore Ulric is hilarious as the outrageous lady Olympe, who seeks the baron's love. American actress Laura Hope Crews is crazy as the cigar smoking, partying old lady Prudence Duvernoy. She's always incredulous. British actor Rex O'Malley is amiable and nice as Armand's fun friend Gaston. He treats Garbo so nicely in her time of need. Editor Margaret Booth's slick cutting keeps Camille down a tight 109 minutes and condenses a life into a brief picture. We get these neat transitions of bitter goodbyes into lush parties. Cinematographers Karl Freund and William H. Daniels uses striking blocking for Camille's beautiful framing. The smooth panning shots ever in focus are lovely to watch. Art directors Cedric Gibbons, Edwin B. Willis, and Fredric Hope use bright white lighting on faces to juxtapose the darker shadows around these gallant halls and balls. Composer Herbert Stothart delivers a wondrously romantic score full of forlorn yearning. Sound designer Douglas Shearer plays around with the loudness of yelling at parties and lets Garbo's sick whispers ring clearly to our ears. Costume designer Adrian delivers several of his greatest gowns for Greta Garbo ever as every scene she dons a luxurious dress in full regalia. Adrian makes Garbo even more gorgeous. In short, Camille is a fantastic black and white classic featuring dazzling dresses and devastating acting from Greta Garbo and Robert Taylor. See more Read all reviews

Camille

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