This is a drama reminiscent of the movie "The Love Story" of 1970 starring Ryan O'Neal and Ali McGraw. Both movies are similar; love between two people of different social status and at the end the woman dies tragically. Camille is a tragedy both on screen and at the MGM studios. Producer Irving Thalberg, a true genius, died in Sep 1936 at the peak of his career leaving the burden on his associate Bernard Hyman. In fact the California premiere of the movie was attended by many luminaries that included a rare public appearance of Greta Grabo. The applause has not ended to this day as this is one of the most frequently revived movies. Garbo's brilliant performance as the aging Maguerite Gautier as a kept woman who live on the generosity of her admirers is perhaps the best performance of her illustrious career. Her fate changes when Armand Duval (Robert Taylor) meets briefly and soon falls in love with her. First it appears as a typical May-December romance, but as the love story continues, hardships are encountered because of the differences in their social standings.
This is based the novel of Alexandre Dumas Fils La Dame aux Camelias, which also helped create Verdi's opera "La Traviata." The range of feeling expressed by Garbo by the subtle play of features and voice from the flirtatious gaiety of early sequences to the exhaustion of her dying was the pinnacle of her performance. The final scene in which Baron deVarville (Henry Danielle) as Marguerite's protector bait each other with the knowledge that young Armand is waiting outside her door; their barbed dialogue with his piano music and her sardonic laughter rise to a brilliant crescendo. Irving Thalberg wanted John Barrymore to play the role of deVarville but he was indisposed. Brother Lionel was casted as the heavy handed Monsieur Duvall, the father of Armand Duvall. The screenplay by Zoe Atkins, Frances Marion and James Hilton oiled the creeks out of the old Dumas story with brilliant photography by William Daniels. George Cukor as one of the best directors of MGM is illustrated by this outstanding classic. Greta Garbo was nominated in best actress category in that years Academy Awards. This is a must see movie.
This is based the novel of Alexandre Dumas Fils La Dame aux Camelias, which also helped create Verdi's opera "La Traviata." The range of feeling expressed by Garbo by the subtle play of features and voice from the flirtatious gaiety of early sequences to the exhaustion of her dying was the pinnacle of her performance. The final scene in which Baron deVarville (Henry Danielle) as Marguerite's protector bait each other with the knowledge that young Armand is waiting outside her door; their barbed dialogue with his piano music and her sardonic laughter rise to a brilliant crescendo. Irving Thalberg wanted John Barrymore to play the role of deVarville but he was indisposed. Brother Lionel was casted as the heavy handed Monsieur Duvall, the father of Armand Duvall. The screenplay by Zoe Atkins, Frances Marion and James Hilton oiled the creeks out of the old Dumas story with brilliant photography by William Daniels. George Cukor as one of the best directors of MGM is illustrated by this outstanding classic. Greta Garbo was nominated in best actress category in that years Academy Awards. This is a must see movie.
No comments:
Post a Comment