Review of Morocco (1930) by Stefanos T — 16 Oct 2010
There is no questioning Marlene Dietrichâ??s appeal in a film, but her draw is used to disappointing effect in this Josef von Sternberg dud. With no plot and laughable dialogue â?? what little there is of it â?? not much can be accomplished in watching â??Moroccoâ?? unless someone has an hour and a half to kill and cannot possibly find anything better to do.
Not only is Dietrich underutilized, Gary Cooper turns in such a wooden performance that trees would be offended in being compared to it. Continuing the sexually driven theme of late twenties cinema there is much to be offended by in this film.
Sporting misogynistic references and appalling machismo there is little to take in except for a perfect example in the study of â??the loverâ??s gaze.â?? Indeed, there is a lot of looking and very little talking making it obvious that the filmmakers were either afraid to use recorded dialogue or had little faith in their story to begin with.
No traceable plot or even a hint of one throughout showcase a difficult viewing experience with no rewards.
This review of Morocco (1930) was written by Stefanos T on 16 Oct 2010.
Morocco has generally received positive reviews.
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