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Product Ninotchka [Blu-ray]. Garbo Laughs! What do I do if I have not received my order?. What do I do?. What should I do?. I have received an item that I did not order. Color: B/W. Release Date: 06/09/15.
Adorable romance and hilarious writing!
Ernst Lubitsch’s romantic comedy Ninotchka (1939) is a hilarious spoof of Communist Russia and Capitalist France with an endearing romance drama in the middle of all the nonsense. Ninotchka is a phenomenal comedy, written by Billy Wilder with a tongue in cheek tone and endless wit. Every line is some clever turn of phrase or silly reference with genuine intelligence to his writing. Wilder’s writing is so astute for his political commentary on Communism in Russia oppressing her people that you’ll be astounded by his choice words during this comfort film. Ernst Lubitsch’s direction is peerless with a fast pace making Ninotchka a quick 110 minutes. His style allows each actor to get some laughs in, all while naturally recreating Paris for the layman viewer.
Swedish actress Greta Garbo puts on a cute and accurate Russian accent as the sern Russian envoy Ninotchka Ivanova Yakushova. She’s stunningly beautiful as she slowly learns to let loose and live life with an air of playfulness. Garbo is super funny as this deadpan, penny pinching Russian official sent to ensure royal jewels are sold at a fair price for bread for starving Russians. She takes the role so seriously that you believe her near tragic heroine. Greta Garbo delivers sweet romance with her dreamy allure as well as perfect comedy with her deft performance. Ninotchka is a fantastic film and role for Greta Garbo to demonstrate her versatility.
Melvyn Douglas is funny as the charming seducer and goofy romantic lead Count Leon d’Algout. His chemistry with Greta Garbo is realistic, but how can you not love her? Ina Claire is perfectly easy to hate as the narcissist Grand Duchess Swana. Bela Lugosi has a cool cameo as Russian Commissar Razinin. The entire cast of Ninotchka is great fun. I must mention Sig Ruman, Felix Bressart, and Alexander Granach are hilarious as the self serving Comrades Iranoff, Buljanoff, and Kopalski with their erratic antics.
Gene Ruggiero’s editing is very stark with a nice eye for when to cut a scene so that nothing drags on too long. William H. Daniels’ black and white cinematography is gorgeously lit and framed with a heavenly eye for close-ups on faces. His wide shots are fun as you can see everyone in a room to witness all their verbal gags at once. Cedric Gibbons’ art direction is breathtaking with lovely, ornate rooms everywhere. Edwin B. Wills’ set decoration looks so lavish for the hotel and restaurants. Werner R. Heymann’s score is pretty and never intrudes on the scene with too abrasive a tone. He keeps Ninotchka light and airy. Adrian’s costumes are lovely, especially Greta Garbo’s dinner dress and Russian uniforms.
In all, Ninotchka is one of those dreamy romantic comedies that is equally funny and endearingly charming.