Grand Hotel

Now I see why they call the multi-threaded soap opera plot the 'Grand Hotel' formula. It works decently well

A film set in 1932 Berlin? Well, luckily, there's no huge historical events that will transpire in the next year that will make watching this film strange. I can't believe it took until 1932 for someone to think, "how about we overload this film with big stars!" This is the film to thank for getting to see "Valentine's Day". This is charming and warm enough for its runtime.

It's a silly comparison when this film preceded him by nearly 40 years, but it reminded me a lot of Altman. Not just because it has a large cast and intertwined stories, but because of the way the film frames the stories. It concentrates on the emotional state of the characters and their progression or lack thereof. Their interactions matter more in how they affect their state of mind than in the actual plot development. The performances are wonderful and enjoyable and essential to the success.

An overrated star-crammed MGM middle brow souffle.

The animatronic Greta Garbo wants to be left alone (an easily obeyed command if you ask me), while a luminous and crafty Joan Crawford inserts herself everywhere. Guess which one sticks in your memory? Adding to the entertainment, a coupla Barrymores gambol, fret, and scheme on the periphery.

Okay, freeze a pint bottle of Absolut. Watch it at 3 in the morning. That's what I did--one of my most memorable cinematic experiences.

"Nothing ever happens," indeed. Too damn corny even for me

Splashily positioned as a model for the all-star ensemble concept; it works well as such. Hard not to, with this MGM stable, though the script affords Crawford and John Barrymore the most nuance to work with (poor Garbo gets two basic melodramatic notes to play—"insecure artiste" and "in love"—though in recompense she gets to kiss Barrymore quite a bit). Though a lot of its real effectiveness is down to the direction, ceaselessly whirling around all these characters.

Inventive for the time, and even by today's standards it juggles the myriad of characters well while building tensions and stakes individually. The payoffs may not all be satisfying, and ultimately I think were this made with more modern sensibilities, John Barrymore would've been a tad more duplicitous rather than unrealistically gobsmacked with sudden love, but regardless -- the film's final notes are still poignant and I found this far more fascinating than expected.

This was a solidly entertaining film filled with big stars and famous lines.

This was my favorite film from the ages of 11 to 17. I've watched it hundreds of times. It taught me more about filmmaking than almost any other film. This film will always live at the forefront for me due to how unbelievably creative it is. Sure, some of the acting is objectively bad, and I get why this would be unappealing for many, but of all the pre-war films I've seen, this is by far the most insightful and creative. It's the only Best Picture winner that I've ever agreed with.

Ensemble cast fitted into interlocking stories and some striking cinematography made this an entertaining hit in my house.

Garbo acts with theatrical abandon, Crawford is as gorgeous and alive and modern as ever, the Barrymores couldn't excel more and Beery is at his most fun/nastiest. Goulding brought the best out of everyone involved in this, including the drool-worthy art deco sets and aggrandizing cinematography.

Hasn't aged well in some respects, but it's still an enjoyable movie.

The Grand Hotel, where "People come. People go. Nothing ever happens." Yet it seems to be the epicenter of all manner of international melodrama. But the film's greatest pleasures are the small character moments scattered about. It is an extravagant picture, with lots of busy staging and choreography captured in long takes.

An entertaining spectacle with lots of classic actors giving classic performances. Notable for being the only movie in Oscar history to win Best Picture without being nominated in any other category.

If I went to an actual hotel and hung around in the lobby for a little less than 2 hours, it probably wouldn't be as boring as watching this movie.

Grand Hotel is well acted, but not necessarily exciting. The hotel looks good also, but nothing can really overcome the story.

An extravagant production and what an all-star cast! Stars didn't come any bigger and respectable then this is 1932. John & Lionel Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, Wallace Beery and Lewis Stone. It's an event to get to see all these in the same movie. The actual movie lacks a little of that same excitement as the cast is, but it's still a grand movie with the two divas and especially double-Barrymore guiding us through the story and emotions as elegant as can be done. Essential viewing.

An old-fashioned star-studded melodrama that follows a group of guests at the Grand Hotel over one tumultuous day. The entire cast is pretty good, from subtle work by John and Lionel Barrymore, to an over-the-top turn by Greta Garbo and a scene stealing performance from Joan Crawford. By today's standard it is somewhat shallow entertainment, but it is enjoyable thanks to its ensemble.

Interesting because it is a 1930's precursor to Robert Altman. Also a good example of how fuckin cool Hollywood stars were. Seriously, read about Garbo's feud with Crawford. Funnily enough, as classic as "I want to be alone is", Garbo's performance is weak and Joan Crawford blows her away. Lionel Barrymore is also excellent. I'm convinced that L. Bar was on some crazy shit. I've seen like three of his films and in every single one he's a completely different personality.

Nothing ever happens, nope, nope. A great work showing different characters and how their lives can intertwine. They grow, they change, and some die. I enjoyed this movie.

Completely delightful film. I found the over-acting enticing. But seriously, sometimes "I just want to be alone," as well, Greta.

A great ensemble piece with game acting, particularly by Crawford and the Barrymore brothers. The writing is terrific, with one particular, very surprising plot development earning my respect. The same cannot be said for Garbo. Beyond terrible, watching her made me want to gouge my eyeballs out and every time she opens her mouth, the movie (and we) suffer. I wish she would have just left us alone! [ba-dum-tschh]

Pauline Kael: "Anyone who goes to see this movie expecting an intelligent script, or even "good acting," should have his head examined. Most of the players give impossibly bad performances. But if you want to see what screen glamour used to be, and what, originally, "stars" were, this is perhaps the best example of all time. [...] As a secretary working in the hotel, there is a startlingly sexy minx named Joan Crawford, who bears only a slight resemblance to the later zombie of that name."

'I want to be alone' - perhaps THE most classic Garbo line ever spoken? A very enjoyable ensemble film complete with diva-ballerinas, starlets and charming gents.

Mindblowingly good cast...but dull as shit.

Great production values, great bore.

It seems like a lot of movies from this era concern themselves with high society, class differences and such -- a worthwhile theme, to be sure. As a social commentary and a snapshot of German high society in the time of Hitler's rise to power, Grand Hotel is quite successful. As entertainment value, it is, for me, merely average.

Good film.