Review of Grand Hotel (2008) by Sara The Cat — 19 Jul 2008

Everytime I see this movie a strong feeling of love and romanticism washes over me for the rest of the night. This was the first all-star cast ensemble movie and still among the best. Some people think that Garbo overacted in her role as ballerina Grusinskaya, but I personally think she was wonderful.

Her role, as a prima ballerina seemingly at the end of her game (and also on the verge of a nervous breakdown) was as close to a superstar as you could get in those days. John Barrymore plays Baron Felix "Flix" von Geigern, a thief who, during an attempt to steal Garbo's pearls, instead falls in love with her and brings her out of a suicidal funk.

Joan Crawford is unbelievably YOUNG and gorgeous in this, and she is fantastic as the poor stenographer who befriends the man who would kill another tenant at the hotel over...a stolen pocketbook. Lionel Barrymore's Kringelein is the revelation here, as his character transforms from the whiny, feeble and dying old man to a man who finds his strength and takes charge when the murder takes place (and is in the process of being covered up).

This is a wonderful movie with many interesting moments and characters, it cannot be missed.