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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Strangely Potent, February 16, 2001
This review is from: Private Lives [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Well, it ain't Noel and Gerty, but it ain't bad, either. Long regarded as a pale imitation of the West End and Broadway original (which MGM helpfully filmed so Mrs. Thalberg could study Lawrence's effects at leisure), all these years down the road the film version stands on its own pretty legs. Nice comic playing from Montgomery and a really fine performance from Norma Shearer (if only she'd been this light in THE WOMEN, that movie would be a half-hour shorter!) Fun to compare this to the play; both the opening-up and the dance around the censors find some happy solutions. Plenty to enjoy here.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A CHARMING VENTURE INTO 1931., January 18, 2000
This review is from: Private Lives [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Considering this movie is over 70 years old, it holds up extremely well! Montgomery and Shearer act in a refreshing, modern manner, and the dialogue is sparkling. One can see what the public saw in both the leading players: Montgomery has a sly, rascally personality, while Shearer is quite the 1931 "moderne". They play a couple with a tempestuous relationship. Although once married, they have since divorced and married other mates. While honeymooning at the same French hotel, (Quelle coincidence!) they have trouble showing affection to their new spouses and realise they still feel passionately about one another. The video print is clear and sharp and the sound is very good. Excellent acting combined with Coward's witty dialogue make this film a rather surprising treat from the early talkie era.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A howler of a screwball comedy!, January 12, 1999
This review is from: Private Lives [VHS] (VHS Tape)
One of the many underknown gems from the screwball comedy genre, "Private Lives" has it all. A first rate cast; Montgomery, Shearer, et all, deliver a performance as prickly and as sharp as anything ever done by Grant & Hepburn or Powell and Loy. A top notch script full of Noel Coward's grace and wit is easily the equal of "His Girl Friday" or "The Philadelphia Story." And , of course, a supporting cast only the old studio system could plug in to fill out the roster. So why isn't it better known? Who the heck knows, know you do! Enjoy!
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