jcravens42

The movie is worth watching (listening to?) for William Powell's line delivery alone, and some of those lines are hysterical. The dialogue is SO fun. There are some terrific twists and turns in this plot, though the clothes and adornments in the movie are so clearly NOT from the turn of the century and WWI, when this story is supposedly set. The very poorly-done over dubbing of several lines, done in post-production in order to take out most German references, which movie producers feared would make Hitler angry, are SO awkward and often done by someone that is NOT playing the role - yet, knowing that now, watching the movie, made it all the more interesting to me to watch, making it a movie representing a lot more than the storyline, but a particular point in history (when the movie was made). A lot of folks here say Rosalind Russell is miscast, but she's not at all - Myrna Loy would have been awkward as the dizzy dame Russell plays.

Two people with nothing in common, who would never have met outside of the specific circumstances that brought them together, spend a remarkable day together, a temporary but extraordinary detour from the set, sad trajectory of their lives. This is a slow moving, quiet movie that sneaks up on you with complexity and timeless themes, starting out as what you think might be just a character study but that progresses into a painful look in what can make people lonely and desperate, into the consequences of toxic masculinity and strict, traditional gender roles, all the while standing as a powerful condemnation of ultra patriotism / fascism. Yes, all that, with little dialogue and everything taking place inside an apartment building. And what dialogue there is is biting and insightful. Both actors are outstanding in their roles, but Sophia Loren shows once again that she is so, so much more than a sex symbol.

Dick Powell is at the top of his game as both a crooner and a comedic star. And it's fantastic to see Joan Blondell in a lead role. And Adolphe Menjou in a campy role, singing? It's light, fluffy, charming fun that also provides a terrific glimpse into life in 1934 and 1935 (watch how the window on the cruise ship is opened). It's hilarious that everyone on the street seems to know Opera tunes. Also, for anyone who thinks singers and actors today are selling out by appearing in commercials - singers and actors have ALWAYS sold products via or adjacent to their "art," as this film shows. Yet another film that makes me wish there were still nightclubs and live radio shows (not just Wait Wait Don't Tell Me).