Ninotchka

Four Stars

Ernst Lubitsch, you marvelous man. Only your well-publicized touch could quell the battle between capitalism and communism with love. This film is SO FABULOUSLY written (credit Billy Wilder among others) that it actually offers critiques of the aforementioned political philosophies while flouting them in favor of romance. Garbo and Douglas aren't particularly physically attractive, but their characters are attractively sophisticated. And I don't mean that they know which wine to drink with fish or what knife to use with butter. I mean that they are smart in a complex way, in a manner that is continually reflected in their lines to one another and to others, and most of all in their looks. Leon's Thursday speech brought tears to my eyes tonight. Even the third act, which initially shows signs of lethargy, puts together a sterling comeback while offering some of the film's best lines. Still not superior to Trouble in Paradise, but close, and most definitely another notch in the belt of the best rom-com director ever to grace Hollywood. Cinematic champagne.