Desire

source: Desire

Desire

My wife got me to watch this film the other day and i was expecting a really corny old film,but instead i found it really entertaining and i would have watched it just for the lovely vintage cars that you see so much of in this film.They don't make cars like that anymore.The plot of the film was very simple,although the robbery was very clever,in other words the film never becomes complicated,you never get lost,which is just right for a light comedy.Marlene is very seductive and very convincing as the shady lady who fools Gary Cooper,the pair are excellent together,the chemistry between them is electric.I don't know why this isn't a classic as it hasn't really dated,I think a modern audience would still enjoy this film, as i did.I think in future ill always give these 1930s romances the benefit of the doubt,as there may be others like this one that are total gems.

Marlene Dietrich stars as a European jewel thief who comically pilfers an extremely rare and expensive pearl necklace from a renowned jewelry store in France. Making her escape through Europe, she keeps bumping into a persistent, not-so-bright, vacationing American motor engineer played delightfully by Gary Cooper. After blowing he and his advances off several times, she realized that he unknowingly has obtained her stolen prize, and now she must find him in Spain and play up to him romantically. The film is very breezy and light most of the way, and Cooper and Dietrich do a fine job together. Meanwhile, Ernest Cossart as the jeweler and Alan Mowbray as a psychiatrist who is an unwitting accomplice to Dietrich have a great comedic scene with each other early on in Mowbray's office. 7 out of 10.

Maybe some of the others have viewed a different film, or neglect the fact that this was filmed over 60 years ago. To me this is a brilliant movie --- at times witty, exciting, sensual and altogether satisfying. Dietrich and Cooper, how promising (again) and Borzage, sophisticated and classy, who could ask for more?

I bought this film from the Netherlands as unfortunately it isn't on sale in the UK,i don't know why,sadly its been forgotten like so many others of this era.I thought the film was very ahead of its time,the characters are very interesting,you have the likable but scheming lady jewell thief,who is so classy,and then you have the handsome but not to clever American tourist,together they make great comedy,this is both stars at their best,you can tell they are enjoying the parts their playing in this film.Also strangely enough the costumes and vintage cars don't date the film at all,it only adds to the appeal,this is a great film to watch if you love old cars,because there is some beautiful models shown in this film.And the costumes are very classy,and interesting.Its an old film,that hasn't dated,it just gets more interesting with age,as I've said its a shame its not on sale in the UK,as we do have a lot of old car enthusiasts.

if you liked Lubitsch's Trouble in Paradise, this is a lesser but still quite enjoyable version. Directed by Borzage and produced by Lubitsch, it is difficult to find but features a marvelous Dietrich and adorable Coop. The opening scenes quickly show you why Paris by Paramount was often considered better than Paris as itself. Charming lines like 'I'm going to put my hand in your pocket' were clever ways to overcome the Hays era constraints. The elegance of the era is well presented here combined with the straight up-ness of the 'good American' culture. There are also poignant references to the oncoming WWII through lines like 'Don't underestimate America, it's a big country', quite prescient since this was still 1936. If you like American Romantic Comedy of the 30's, you will enjoy this film...a shame they don't make 'em like this anymore.

Directed by Frank Borzage and produced by Ernest Lubitch, that alone is a guarantee of something very special. On top of that, Gary Cooper and Marlene Dietrich in a fast, furious, magical duet. He is a charming Forrest Gump on vacation, she is a born seductress, a jewel thief, a woman on the verge of being beyond redemption. The dialog could have been written today even their talk about war. The camera had a real love affair with Cooper and Dietrich. Their feelings so visible. He in love like a school boy and she discovering him and herself, bit by bit. There are moments of Dietrich staring at Cooper that are a masterpiece on their own right. She is seeing something she has never seen before - innocence at its purest state. Don't miss it.

This is one of those films that I had heard of and never thought it would be this good.The second teaming of Gary Cooper and Marlene Dietrich, six years after "Morocco", is a sheer delight.They have a beautiful chemistry in this movie.She is alluring and mysterious,and he is the naive but charming American everyman.This is perhaps the first time Cooper used this screen persona,which he did so well in later comedies.There are two hilarious supporting performances by Alan Mowbray and Ernest Cossart as Dietrich's easy victims of the jewel theft.This comedy is what I would call sophisticated,elegant and witty. Here we have Cooper and Dietrich at their best and watch them having fun together.

Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper show an unexpected flair for romantic comedy that goes into high gear during DESIRE. They are surrounded by some expert supporting players, including Alan Mobray as a doctor who is "taken" by Marlene's sly and crafty jewel thief. The plot is thin but pleasant and moves at a fast clip with ample chemistry between Dietrich and Cooper more than making up for the slight story. When Dietrich accidentally lets Cooper get away with the pearl necklace she has stolen, she has to follow him and lure him back with some fancy scheming. John Halliday has fun with his role as her consort in crime but it is Alan Mobray who has the plum supporting role as the doctor she so charmingly deceives. Diverting entertainment with Dietrich expert as the exotic jewel thief under Frank Borzage's direction. The whole picture has such a light touch you'd think it was directed by Ernst Lubitsch.