Ninotchka (1939)

propaganda film, it remains seductive yet. and not only for the charming performance of Greta Garbo but for a form of humor who becomes very rare. because, after more than 75 years, Ninotchka is one of lovely manifestos about dictatorship, life and love, using, in wise manner, few small tricks for suggest the fragility of a political system and the clash between different cultures. and, in strange way, the words Garbo laughing is, in same measure, the axis of a film who seems be naif only at the first sigh. so, a delight. or a history page. or, for the public from the East, good opportunity to remember the atmosphere of every day under the Communism.

I would not call NINOTCHKA controversial film. Political comedy in the late thirties by line developments were controversial. The differences between the two worlds are not likely to appear in the right way. I think that's good, because it is a comedy and Garbo. Lubitsch had chosen a great topic in which Garbo fits. Garbo between two worlds. The director deliberately exaggerating the degree of cynicism and comparisons. In a serious relationship director put a little thing called love. Not honestly, but it is funny. I still say that Garbo did not know laugh. Therein lies all the mysticism and magic that binds to her name. Image and scenery are very good. Acting and dialogues are great.Greta Garbo as Nina Ivanovna "Ninotchka" Yakushova It is a particular comedian. Her style is fantastic. Shifts between cold and uninterested envoy and playful girl in love is fascinating. Melvyn Douglas (Count Léon d'Algout), as an insidious capitalistic meddler is nonchalant and excellent paired with a leading lady.This movie is one big joke, which can all laugh. However, I think when the perceived political framework is little disposed to laughter.

From director Ernst Lubitsch (To Be or Not to Be, Heaven Can Wait), I had heard the leading actress name a few times, I didn't know much about her, especially not that she retired at the age of thirty five after only twenty eight films, and I was looking forward to this title I recognised from her career. Basically in Paris, France, three Russians, Iranov (Sig Ruman), Buljanov (Felix Bressart) and Kopalsky (Alexander Granach), are selling jewellery from the aristocracy that they confiscated during the 1917 Russian Revolution, and arriving they meet Count Leon d'Algout (Melvyn Douglas) who is trying to retrieve her jewellery back for Russian Grand Duchess Swana (Ina Claire). But he corrupts the three men and convinces them to stay in Paris since they have become accustomed to their French surroundings, so special diplomatic agent Nina Ivanovna "Ninotchka" Yakushova (Oscar nominated Greta Garbo) has been sent by the Soviet Union to make sure the sale goes ahead and bring the three men back to Russia. She is stern and non nonsense with her attitude, and for a while she has no time to mess around with pleasure rather than business, but after meeting Leon and being introduced more to the culture of the West she lightens up. Ninotchka and Leon slowly fall in love with each other, and this allows the three Russians to do a kindness for capitalism, and in the end the Russian agent leaves behind her work to have a relationship with the Count, and one of the three men protects that the other two were unfair to him, this is a joke. Also starring Bela Lugosi as Commissar Razinin and Gregory Gaye as Count Alexis Rakonin. Garbo gives a great performance as the first strict and then light-hearted Russian agent, and Douglas is likable as the charming man and love interest, I will confess that I could not understand the political stuff and I could not follow everything going on, but I did laugh when the jokes were simple and well made, the most funny material is during the café scene, and the love story is nice, so it was an fun sophisticated comedy. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Picture, Best Writing, Original Story and Best Writing, Screenplay. Greta Garbo was number 5 on 100 Years, 100 Stars - Women, and she was number 44 on The World's Greatest Actor, the film was number 52 on 100 Years, 100 Laughs. Very good!

Ninotchka (1939)*** 1/2 (out of 4)Terrific romantic-comedy about a stern Russian named Ninotchka (Greta Garbo) who is sent to Paris to look in on three men who were unable to sell some jewelry due to some legal issues. Once there Ninotchka strikes up a relationship with Leon (Melvyn Douglas) who has his own reasons for wanting the jewels. Director Ernst Lubitsch hits all the right moves with this film and turns it into one of the best of its type. It's easy to see why so many people consider 1939 to be the greatest year for movies and this one here is another one of the jewels from that era. Although I'd stop short of calling this a masterpiece, there's still no question that it features a legend at the top of her game and a terrific supporting cast around her. It's funny to see the original advertisements talk about Garbo laughing since this was a very rare thing. Just like her first talking picture, which MGM played up, the moment here when she finally laughs is just a classic scene and one of the most memorable. There are so many classic moments in this film but the majority of the credit has to go to Garbo who is simply wonderful. The stern way she plays this character is just so funny and her line deliveries are flawless. When it comes time for the character to break and have some fun the actress pulls this off remarkably well. It also helps that Douglas is so great in the film and perfectly plays off the actress. Ina Claire, Sig Ruman, Felix Bressart, Alexander Granach and Bela Lugosi are also very good in their supporting parts. NINOTCHKA is full of wonderfully funny moments from start to finish and it's easy to see why it's considered such a classic of its genre.