I am a SummerUnderTheStars fan. For the past 2 years (in August), I have recorded a hoard of films. Right now I have over 150 in my classics folder to watch.
That said, I found Camille to be anti-climactic.
First off I want to say that there should be no spoilers for a movie that's nearing 90 years old. But if you are reading this review before seeing the film, then you'll probably want to stop reading now.
Early on in the film, Camille meets a guy she thinks is the Baron de Varville. When she finds out she's wrong, Armond should have left and never come back into her life. He's supposed to be this charming chap, so where are the other women in his life? Why does he demean himself with this woman that mistook him for someone else?
That didn't make sense. It made me feel like he really is a loser.
Then when the Baron does meet her, she's apparently already in love with Armond, so she leads him on, why, because she can't tell the truth to the great and mighty Baron?
On that note, the Baron's character isn't built up to where we even understand or care about his title.
Later there's a scene when Armond's dad (played by Lionel Barrymore) tells her not to see his son, for some cheesy reasons. She decides to honor his request and Armond never finds out.
This movie is just awkward on many levels.
Then to rickdumesnil-55203's point - which I agree with - Greta Garbo doesn't do a masterful job of acting. She's constantly tilting her head. Is it because that's her way of being romantic, or is she sick, both? I couldn't tell if she just always wanted to kiss who she was with, but it was really peculiar. Most times when she tilted, she laughed, and her laugh was clearly fake and very annoying. And I also agree in that this film didn't make me feel anything. I wasn't cheering for her to be with either guy, and when she died in the end, rather than sadness, I felt relief that the film was over.
It's too bad. I wanted to like this film. Even in the beginning when everyone was having fun, I thought it was obnoxious. This film did nothing for me except waste a couple hours I could have spent watching something better.
That said, I found Camille to be anti-climactic.
First off I want to say that there should be no spoilers for a movie that's nearing 90 years old. But if you are reading this review before seeing the film, then you'll probably want to stop reading now.
Early on in the film, Camille meets a guy she thinks is the Baron de Varville. When she finds out she's wrong, Armond should have left and never come back into her life. He's supposed to be this charming chap, so where are the other women in his life? Why does he demean himself with this woman that mistook him for someone else?
That didn't make sense. It made me feel like he really is a loser.
Then when the Baron does meet her, she's apparently already in love with Armond, so she leads him on, why, because she can't tell the truth to the great and mighty Baron?
On that note, the Baron's character isn't built up to where we even understand or care about his title.
Later there's a scene when Armond's dad (played by Lionel Barrymore) tells her not to see his son, for some cheesy reasons. She decides to honor his request and Armond never finds out.
This movie is just awkward on many levels.
Then to rickdumesnil-55203's point - which I agree with - Greta Garbo doesn't do a masterful job of acting. She's constantly tilting her head. Is it because that's her way of being romantic, or is she sick, both? I couldn't tell if she just always wanted to kiss who she was with, but it was really peculiar. Most times when she tilted, she laughed, and her laugh was clearly fake and very annoying. And I also agree in that this film didn't make me feel anything. I wasn't cheering for her to be with either guy, and when she died in the end, rather than sadness, I felt relief that the film was over.
It's too bad. I wanted to like this film. Even in the beginning when everyone was having fun, I thought it was obnoxious. This film did nothing for me except waste a couple hours I could have spent watching something better.