Review of Twentieth Century (1934) by Sabrina I — 28 Oct 2010

Twentieth Century is pure fun from start to finish. I guess the story is now familiar to most people about the director and actress pairing however the film works because of the the wonderful, funny and downright witty dialogue. It's a smart script that keeps the action going, it only drags a bit at the end but still, it was an enjoyable experience. Even my brother was laughing and he usually doesn't watch older films! This is one of the early screwball comedies and Howard Hawks went one to make more famous ones like "His Girl Friday". It's important for people to watch this film because its an early example of this genre and it has made by one of the best directors from that time period. John Barrymore gives a hyper, robust performance as the egotistic and eccentric Oscar Jaffe. His actions had me laughing quite a few times. I was reminded a bit of "The Red Shoes" but that's because of the character of Oscar Jaffe, like Boris Lemontov - he also does not want his actress to have a life of her own outside of their work together and he also is obsessed with his art. Other than that, it's a totally different film in tone and outcome.

Overall...I know some people might be turned off by the hyper performances and craziness of the film but that's what the screwball genre was all about, in the end- I felt it was not only an entertaining film but a smart one too.

Favorite Lines:

"What do you know about talent? What do you know about the theatre? What do you know about genius? What do you know about anything, you... bookkeeper!".

"Get out of my theatre, you gray rat! And don't have that fat wife of yours come around again, pleading for you!".

"You squalling little amateur. On your feet! Get up! Take that hump out of your back. You're not demonstrating underwear anymore! ".

" I never thought I should sink so low as to become an actor. ".

"She loves me. I could tell that through her screaming.".