The Smiling Lieutenant

A mixed bag. There are some *very* funny moments in this--laugh out loud moments that Lubitsch cuts and plays just right. Also, Colbert's character arc is fantastic, especially because it plays out in an unexpected way. Lubitsch holds her last shot for a few extra beats--magnificent. It's the other side of the movie, the arcs of Chevalier and Hopkins, that struggles in its conception. At best, this element of the film is terribly dated. At worst, it's flat out degrading.

A musical romantic comedy that didn't seem to have quite enough music, romance, or comedy. The songs tend to be good, most notably the "Jazz Up Your Lingerie" number... but there's only a few of them. The romance between Chevalier and Colbert is electric... but, well, I don't want to spoil it, but it's not a satisfying ending. And there's some really great jokes... but too few and far between. I enjoyed it, I just wanted a little more. Some wonderful moments but it didn't quite gel for me.

In general it's an inferior script by Lubitsch standards, with a meh premise and mostly middling dialogue, but it does have quite a few nice moments (including a friendly scene between the female leads that almost passes the Bechdel test). The pre-code candidness about extramarital lust works in its favor, but the unnecessary musical trappings that plagued early talkies not so much.

When the whole movie is premised on a guy winking at somebody, you know the rest is going to be fluff surrounded by some song and dance numbers. And what a surprise when one is a paean to breakfast and one is about jazzing up your lingerie, both memorable for being so odd. It is jaw-dropping in places and mind-numbingly boring in others. Worth a watch if you like sizzling innuendo (most of which happens in the final few minutes).

Middling Chevalier film where all the music sounds similar and the plot fizzles out. Only worth seeing for Colbert.

Star Rating: ★★★★1/2

Elegance of technique and downright stupidity of plot will pull you in different directions, if you are so inclined.

Mostly satisfying in the typical Lubitsch ways, but that ending feels so off...

I think it would have been better with two changes: Eliminate Maurice Chevalier's solos and have the girls fall in love with each other after the slap-fight and agree to a threesome.

Really amusing except the musical parts. Wait a minute, i even liked Chevalier singing.

A bit silly in parts, but very funny and charming.

Not my favorite Lubitsch--it's a bit thin even for such fluff--but it's still Lubitsch. Chavalier is charming as usual, and both Colbert and Hopkins are good too.

Charming and cute most of the time, but it lacks bite and both the songs and humour are rather incidental.