Desire

Romantic comedy which the producer should have worked on longer: it begins brilliantly and keeps its style, but the pace and wit ebb away.

Amiable almost-screwball comedy would seem to be an odd fit for this cast and director, but it emerges as an unexpectedly charming treat, if a little bit long-winded in the second half. Dietrich and Cooper make for a terrific comic team, with Cooper especially far more relaxed than usual.

First half is pretty great, especially Dietrich's various ploys and the great dialogue between her and Cooper. But in the second half it just coasts to a rather predictable end. Cooper flounders a bit, and while Dietrich tries to carry things there's not enough meat to let her succeed. The finale is just code imposed fluff that feels out of place.

Viewed January 2, 2019.

A romance between a German emigre and Hollywood's biggest fascist sympathizer. Ooooooooooooooooooooookay

It feels like there's something vaguely metaphorical in this 1936 film about an American in France, sorting out some trouble that's been caused by a German. The tone of the film is light and breezy though, with a standard-issue romantic caper plot. The opening credits' cavalcade of decolletage promised something sexier.

Even if the Lubitsch touch isn't here, the Lubitsch imprint is evident. Frank Borzage is a great director, and there is plenty he does well here. But you can't help but wish Lubitsch did this. It's right up his street. The first half of the film is very good, it gets a bit sloppy and longwinded later, but the screwball comedy-esque style works well and creates a charming film

"Desire" exemplifies a romantic comedy where all elements align perfectly. The on-screen dynamic between Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper is enchanting, and the dialogue flashes with wit and unforgettable quips.

I can finally check-off my #1 unseen movie of '36! And it was stylish and amusing! Lacks a bit in the plot, but one can't go wrong with the glamorous Marlene Dietrich being followed by the tall and handsome Gary Cooper! Frank Borzage continues to photograph Dietrich where Josef von Sternberg left off. Scarily beautiful! And the bashful Cooper has got more then enough boyish charms to sweet Marlene off her feet!