On G List of Movie Reviews

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Grand Hotel (1932)

Rate: 6
Viewed: 8/13

8/13: The Best Picture Winner of 1932, Grand Hotel, is dated, but it can be charming at times.

With the exception of Greta Garbo who certainly overacts, the performances are very good. What I love is the wonderful cinematography by Cedric Gibbons. There are times when the movie will lose momentum and then comes along a thrilling chain of shots to jumpstart it. Such examples are, but not limited to, the circle of six floors, the continually revolving glass door, and the hotel guests walking through the front lobby.

Nothing sums up the film better than the famous quote by Lewis Stone's Two-Face Harvey: "Grand Hotel. People come, people go. Nothing ever happens." It's exactly how I feel.

All in all, full of movie stars, Grand Hotel is a dated classic.

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