Private Lives

I happen to adore this movie; it's my favorite classic comedy. Surely Noel Coward and Gertrude Lawrence did a better job than Norma Shearer and Robert Montgomery, but Norma is my favorite actress, and Robert is my favorite of her many co-stars. The dialog is marvelous, and the plot is fun. I like the idea of the two exes who spend their honeymoons in adjacent suites. The fight between Norma and Robert could very well be one of the best ever filmed. This is such a fun movie, but is sadly a little forgotten. I hear that the MGM video release isn't being made anymore, so if you don't want to watch this gem on a grainy, used video, hurry to your local store and watch the clerk look at you funny when you sigh with relief over having gotten the last copy.

I've lost count of the number of times I have seen this first-rate movie, and it makes me laugh every time. The plot and dialog are outstanding, and Norma Shearer and Robert Montgomery are excellent. Reginald Denny and Una Merkel are a delight as well. In one of the film's many excellent scenes, Shearer shows off the acting skills she honed during her silent screen days -- hearing the musical strains of a song once dear to her and her ex-husband in happier days, her expression goes from recognition to fond remembrance to regret to resignation, all in the span of a few seconds. Although she is best known for her dramatic gifts, Norma is top-notch throughout this film, displaying an excellent flair for comedy. I've often read her performance being unfavorably compared to that of Gertrude Lawrence, but I thought Shearer was a wonder. It's hard for me to conceive that this movie was released 80 years ago -- it is still fresh, funny, and worth every moment of your time.

I just saw this movie this morning on TCM. I absolutely loved it! So funny! Norma was great and so was Robert Montgomery. I enjoyed their bickering, and after a bit, could TELL when it was coming just by a remark made. It was actually very modern in it's depiction of a marriage, as that really doesn't change. I found this movie to be very delightful, and full of wit. Their fight scene is the best! When Amanda shrieks and screams and cries, it is priceless! I recommend it highly. I have recently discovered Norma Shearers' movies, and she is so good it is a joy to watch her. I saw "The Women" and "Marie Antionette" as a child, but it is wonderful to be able to watch movies like "Private Lives" now. It is hard to believe it was made in '31, it is not dated at all.

Probably not for everyone. It's stylised but stylish. It thinks it's so frightfully amusing but actually is genuinely funny. The acting is terribly theatrical but completely engaging. It's affected and pretentious but nevertheless sophisticated and intelligent.

I watched this immediately after watching Russel Brand in the rather different GET HIM TO THE GREEK - which is hilarious. Maybe that put me in a chilled, receptive mood but I watched this smiling from beginning to end. Yes, this is obviously very different to Brand's film, it's definitely not a laugh out loud movie but I enjoyed it just as much. It exemplifies everything you expect from Noël Coward. It's witty, biting and sarcastic but also cleverly endearing.

Unlike his DESIGN FOR LIVING, which was completely changed from a stage play into a fantastic film by the great Ben Hecht, this is pure Noël Coward. Having watched a few films however actually starring Mr Coward, I'm glad he wasn't in this. He may have been watchable on the West End/Broadway in the thirties but his presence on film for a modern audience can be quite grating. Instead of him, the much more personable Robert Montgomery dons the silk dressing gown and is amusing without being irritating. It's gives us the best of both worlds - a perfect blend of theatre and cinema.

Then there's Norma Shearer. Again, she's not to everyone's taste. Her silent film gestures, her stagey delivery can sometimes feel old fashioned but in this, she displays a brilliant sense of comedy. She's a natural comedian. Some 'proper actors' seemed to forget how to act if they were in a 1930s comedy but she handles this professionally creating a likeable character you can believe is absolutely a real and authentic person. She also displays that inexplicable skill she had of making you think that despite her not being particularly beautiful, she's the sexiest most alluring woman you've ever seen in your life!

Noel Coward dialogue. What can be bad? Norma Shearer does a star turn and is *very* funny. Her clothes are wonderful. She is obviously "meant for" Robert Montgomery, and they leave the partners they are engaged to and escape with each other on an around-the-world trip. Their physical fights are hilarious.