Perfect Understanding, starring Gloria Swanson and Laurence Olivier

Movie Reviewed: Perfect Understanding, starring Gloria Swanson and Laurence Olivier

This is a story about a young couple who decide to marry under the condition that they agree never to disagree. The contract states that "Never to be husband and wife, but lover and mistress and above everything else, to remain individual." But this agreement does not stand the test of time. When Nicholas Randall (Laurence Olivier) is vacationing alone in Cannes, France cheats on his wife Judy (Gloria Swanson) and later begs for forgiveness. The divorce case heads to the court and there the drama ends in much unexpected way. Judy agrees to forgive Nicholas and they elope from the court proceedings. The court has no choice but to dismiss the case and it all ends in a very happy note.

For most silent movie buffs like me, it is refreshing to watch this movie, since Gloria Swanson made very few talkie movies. The most striking feature of the movie is Swanson working with Laurence Olivier who was eight years younger than her; brings me the memory of Sunset Boulevard where she also romances a much younger man in William Holden. She told her friends that she was deeply attracted to the charm of Olivier while making this movie. At that time Swanson was living in London; Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., had suggested that she start her own studio to surmount her financial difficulties. This movie was tightly budgeted but later became every expensive since Olivier had to miss shootings because of an auto accident not related to the movie; Swanson had to cancel few days because she had flu; and then the studio where the film was being developed, caught fire and the film was destroyed. They had to recreate with whatever was left in a studio in United States. It became so expensive Swanson had to sell her stocks in "United Artists" Company.

The boat race in Cannes, France is fun part of the movie, and Swanson does a splendid job as Judy Rogers. This love story reminds me of Love Story (1964) in many ways; for one, young Laurence Olivier bears strong resemblance to Ryan O'Neal. It is a lot of fun to watch this movie.