178 of 1001 Movies: Camille (1936)

George Cukor directs this 1936 movie that is adapted from a novel. It stars the famous Greta Garbo who plays up her famous eyes for the very sad part of Camille. This movie wasn't the most entertaining movie there is, but the emotions of the movie caught me off guard by the end. The chemistry between the two actors is some of the best I've seen in earlier movies. I don't find earlier movies as romantic though for some reason.  I think the fact you know the lead character is deathly ill though is the sadly tragic part that keeps you watching the movie.

Summary: Mauguerite has become known as a well known Dame Camille in Paris. She is living in the high society of Paris, and her expenses are covered by the Baron De Varville. Her beauty is what has gained her the fiances, but when she meets Armand she is prepared to leave the world behind for him as he continues to build his wealth and name in Paris. Dame Camille is very ill though, and the choice she must make between two man is only furthering her own illness under the stress. Not only that but family is pressuring her in two opposite directions, though Armand has made his love for her clear.


Acting: The acting is a little dramatic and over the top. When the two kiss it is like a banging of faces, and the men just seem very wimpy to me. No one really steps up for Camille even though it's obvious her illness is very rampant and not leaving her. I mean Mauguerite is basically holding a napkin over her face the whole time! Anyways, Greta Garbo is definitely the strongest of the cast. She gets you to caring for the character by the end of the movie. Robert Taylor is the man who has a genuine interest in her, Armand. He seems to like her for more than just her beauty, and doesn't care of her past.  I assume it's her past being poor, or perhaps the fact she uses her beauty to get men, that makes her someone that men are hesitant to marry. Henry Daniell is one of the other major players as the Baron. Somehow just the few seconds he is on screen you get this creepy vibe about him, but you can see why the guy might be upset as well because anyone might feel played with what Mauguerite is doing. There is also Lionel Barrymore in the cast as Monsirur Duval.

Filming: Camille sets you in the time it's based in in the 1800s quite well. The surroundings of Paris and the people are captured to highlight the fashion and decorations of that time, and it makes it comes to life very well. There isn't too many close up shots either that make the scene look too ridiculously dramatic either, and detract from the emotion of the movie. I also think Cukor's shots of Greta Garbo do highlight the sad eyes she was known for, and it somehow brings out the tragic emotion you feel running the length of the movie during watching.

Plot: The plot is one that is nicely done because you never know where it is going. Most movies I've seen from earlier times seem to end on too happy of a note, and then it spoils the tone that was there the whole movie. This one does not do that though, and I found it shocking it didn't end differently than what I felt might be a suiting ending. I guess the weakest thing though is that Mauguerite isn't a very strong character. The illness only makes her weaker. She doesn't stand up for love nor tell anyone to back off. She just seems too nice, and doesn't have too many dimensions about her. Armand is sort of the same. While he is changing from a young man to an adult who can take care of her, it isn't highlighted well. I just didn't feel the romance.

Camille shows the costumes greatly and sets up to feel we are living in the time with these characters, but the weaker writing to pull us into the story of the characters wasn't there for me, and I always felt a little out of the loop while I was watching. Also, since the 30's weren't as in your face about the sexuality of characters it leaves you in a lot of ambiguity about exactly what Mauguerite was doing to receive benefits from the man who was giving her money.

Rating 6 of 10