|
| . |
|
Ninotchka 1939 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Ernst Lubitsch
NR, 110 min. |
 |
Starring: Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas, Ina Claire, Bela Lugosi, Sig Ruman, Felix Bressart, Alexander Granach, Gregory Gaye, Rolfe Sedan, Edwin Maxwell, Richard Carle
Producer: Ernst Lubitsch
Screenplay: Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder, Walter Reisch
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Released: 1939 |
Rating:
 (out of ) |
With Ninotchka, Ernst Lubitsch's second masterpiece (Trouble in Paradise was his first), the talented Greta Garbo assured
herself a place among the all-time legends of the screen. Her ability to stretch herself in atypical roles was tested here,
and the result was one of the finest performances of her distinguished career. The "Lubitsch Touch" had worked again, elevating
a good film to classic status with his innate ability to make ordinary characters seem uniquely captivating. Garbo's transformation
from iron-fisted, no nonsense Soviet envoy to tender, lovely romantic blends perfectly with an intelligent script
full of sharp and witty dialogue. Widely considered one of the best romantic comedies ever made, Ninotchka is a highly
enjoyable picture.
The film was also one of the first pictures to satirize and poke fun at Communism, in this case the Soviet Union in general.
Predictably, when it was released in 1939 it was quickly banned in the Soviet Union and all other countries under their control.
Communism was portrayed as cold, dreary, and heartless, while life under Stalin is seen as censored and miserable.
Lubitsch enjoyed making statements in his films, especially in comedies, and a few years later would make another
stinging parody - this time of a fascist regime, Hitler's Nazis, in To Be or Not to Be.
But essentially this film is all about Garbo. She plays Nina Ivanovna Yakushova, or "Ninotchka" for short, a Soviet
envoy who is sent to Paris to replace the previous envoy - three capitalist-hungry bumblers (Sig Ruman, Felix Bressart, Alexander Granach) -
to secure a good bid for some royal jewels that belonged to a former Russian noblewoman, Grand Duchess Swana (Ina Claire).
When she unknowingly meets her adversary for the jewels, the playboy Count Leon D'Algout (Melvyn Douglas), Ninotchka
accepts his offer to show her the city. Leon is smitten with her, and aggresively pursues her despite her cold, calculating
demeanor. After many attempts to break through her icy exterior, Leon's clumsy fall from a chair in a restaurant sparks
uncontrollable laughter from Ninotchka, now "open" to more experiences in a free society. Ninotchka is in love with
Leon too, but once her work is finished she must return to Moscow, where Leon cannot follow. Desperate to see her again,
Leon crafts a plan involving her new friends, the three Russian converts, to rescue her from the grip of Communism.
MGM was so convinced that Garbo would make the film unforgettable, they even used the slogan "Garbo Laughs!" to
attract attention to a film that in reality was already highly anticipated. Garbo had such a powerful presence on screen
that she almost overshadowed everyone else around her. Consider the scenes where she plays opposite Douglas. She
dominates every frame because your eyes are drawn to her and not the man who is pining for her affections. Of course,
considering her character's stiffness may have also partially poked fun at some of her own past roles, it creates a nice
change of pace when she relaxes into a more appealing personality. Her metamorphisis may be the film's highlight, but
her ability to portray polar opposites in the same character is impressive. You can even recognize hints of both personalities
in each version of Ninotchka. It's Garbo's irresistible look that catches the camera's eye - she's one of the more filmable
stars of the cinema. Garbo would appear in only one more film, Two-Faced Woman, before her legendary disappearing
act from the industry.
Ninotchka is also memorable for its stark contrasts between political systems, people, and locales. While Communism
is seen as unlivable, Capitalism is portrayed as utopian in its acceptance of others, free to pursue one's dreams. The people
of the Soviet Union are seen as walking zombies, slaves to their misguided revolution; Capitalists are happy, full of life,
and enjoy their freedoms. Finally, while Paris is shown as a lovers' paradise complete with a "sky's the limit" attitude,
Moscow is grim, ugly, cold, and strangely detached from its citizens. Lubitsch's attention to details in these areas help to
further enhance a screenplay with more than enough barbs aimed at Communism.
Ninotchka was nominated for four Academy Awards - Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Story, Best Screenplay - but went
home empty-handed. Of course, in 1939 there was some stiff competition, with the likes of Gone With the Wind on the
ballot, but nevertheless Ninotchka was considered a great accomplishment. For a brilliant director at the top of his game and
a wonderful actress in the prime of her career, Ninotchka is considered one of the best films of the 1930s.
© 2002 Jonathan Cornwell
|
|
| Masterpiece - Classic; Movie perfection |
 | Excellent - A Must See; One of the year's best films |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
© 2000 - present ReelCriticReviews
All movie pictures are registered trademarks and/or copyrights of their respective holders
Their use on this site is for informational purposes only and does not imply ownership
|
