This film was a delight and incredibly watchable. I highly recommend watching this film, which I believe ranks alongside such films as "Stella Dallas" and "Now Voyager." This is definitely of the Woman's Picture genre and a film that you are certain to enjoy.
I know this review is about "The Trespasser;" however, I must first write a few words about "Sunset Boulevard" to frame my discussion.
Like many fans of Gloria Swanson, I have always blurred the lines of reality between Gloria Swanson the actress and her portrayal of the fictitious character, Norma Desmond, from "Sunset Boulevard." I first viewed "Sunset Boulevard" as a teenager growing up in the 1970s. I was one of those viewers who really rooted for Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) and wanted her to succeed in her "return" to motion pictures.
It is sad that Gloria Swanson was not able to appear in films of such caliber as "The Trespasser" after making "Sunset Boulevard." With my personal background viewership in mind, I found "The Trespasser" (1929) to be incredibly riveting, which is not always the case when viewing movies of this deep vintage.
Gloria Swanson's caliber of performance comes very close to matching her work in "Sunset Boulevard." I have not viewed much of her work that occurred between "The Trespasser" and "Sunset Boulevard," but have read that this interim work was of lesser quality.
I think that Gloria Swanson required a strong director who could bring out a good performance. Underneath any performance, there must be emotional substance to flesh out the dialogue (Method Acting). Otherwise, the words ring hollow and forced.
I think that the timing of this production provided Gloria Swanson with the perfect emotional storm to bring some method acting to her role in "The Trespasser." She desperately needed a hit film that would get her out of financial debt from the never to be finished "Queen Kelly".
I think that her underlying financial angst gave emotional depth to her performance. She seems to be at her best when her character is also in the midst of intense emotional desperation.
I hope you enjoy watching Gloria Swanson succeed in "The Trespasser" as much as I did. Norma Desmond would be proud.
