This is the movie that really got me to love Ernst Lubitsch. The last two in the set I love, but they take this pessimistic, almost dark view of life and love. Not Monte Carlo my friend. This is the one that I adore, simply because I love the prince diguised as a pauper motif.This movie is extremely funny and while
not offering the slapstick of The Love Parade, the silly moments just make up for it in a way that slapstick can never accomplish. There are very genunie laughs that I still can't understand in a film from the 1930's. There's this very airy feel to this move that's almost unexplainable.This, unfortunately, is the one movie in the set not featuring Maurice Chevalier. I love Chevalier, but he's the same character over and over again. It was nice seeing another actor, although this guy I wouldn't consider as traditionally Hollywood suave. Actually, he looks a little creeper to me, but he's really funny and really good in this role, so I guess I should be encouraging this sort of casting.The movie reaches almost a fantasy level towards the end. I am almost reminded of the Disney level of heartache that comes from the couple being separated over arbitrary reasons. But this movie does that convention so much better than any piece of crap Disney tries to do.YOU HEAR THAT, FLIXSTER? DISNEY (for the most part) SUCKS!Anyway, this really is a great date movie if your date doesn't mind watching movies that are considered really old. (Sorry, I've tolerated a lot of "old" movies being considered stuff from the 90's. *sigh*)
April 3, 2008
