Ninotchka - Greta Garbo
Leon - Melvyn Douglas
Grand Duchess Swana - Ina Claire
Razinin - Bela Lugosi
Iranoff - Sig Ruman
Buljanoff - Felix Bressart
Kupolski - Alexander Granach
Famous for her statement "I want to be alone!" Greta Garbo's wish was granted when she ended up alone for the final portion of her life. While living not far from her in NYC in the early 90's I often wondered about her. What was the genesis of her reclusiveness? Was it fear? How often does fear and insecurity drive us to lifestyles that we otherwise would not have chosen. Then there is the vicious circle of fear that leads to reclusiveness that leads to more fear that leads to more reclusiveness and on the circle goes. We look from the outside thinking that celebrities are on top of the world and have it all only to forget that they are just as human and frail as we are ourselves. We hold them up as special and/or superior only to be dismayed when they prove themselves to be just as normal as we are.
Greta Garbo was always known for playing tragic women. Anna Karenina, Marguerite in "Camille," Mata Hari, Anna Christie, Grusinskaya in "Grand Hotel." Women in desperate situations in which she dramatically plows through. Women whom we admire for their strength yet cry with as we view the circumstances that life has dealt them.
Ninotchka, is NOT another of those roles. This was, in fact, Garbo's first and only comedy. The joviality of her acting is so natural that it's hard to remember her previous roles. Unfortunately, her next movie BOMBED terribly so she bought out he own contract and made no more.
The time setting of the movie is the mid to late 1930's primarily in Paris. Three bolshevik delegates have been sent from Moscow with the People's Crown Jewels to negotiate a sale in order to obtain precious money to buy food for their hungry people.
Immediately they begin to compromise. "Gentlemen, we have a safe that meets the requirements of your case but I don't think it meets your convictions." Quickly they are confronted with the overwhelming contrast between their surroundings and their homeland. Being the humans that they are, they quickly become accustomed to the excesses of Parisienne high life.
When they meet with the jeweler for negotiations, his offer is not to their expectations. He tells them that he is actually taking a loss by purchasing them which leads them to their first comment about capitalism: "Capitalistic methods...they accumulate millions by taking loss after loss."
Unbeknownst to them, the exiled Grand Duchess Swana of Russia (to whom the jewels originally belonged) is a resident in the same hotel where they have decided to conduct the business of the Russian people. When she learns of their presence, she has her courtesan Leon deliver legal papers to stop all transactions (her lawyer won't because France is one of the countries that recognizes the Soviet Union which means the French courts will most likely rule against her). Running into snags is not a problem for the delegates, there are so many wonderful, fun distractions to occupy their time and Leon makes sure they begin enjoying them to the fullest right away.
Reports getting back to Moscow are not promising. The progress (rather lack thereof) of the transaction is not pleasing to the authorities. Enter Ninotchka, a loyal Soviet servant. Her diligent work earns her the privilege of a trip to the Paris to take care of matters.
Upon arrival she is continually disgusted not only with the excesses but with what she sees as inequality. Inequality that she believes socialism corrects. She is equally disappointed with the three delegates that have preceded her; how shamefully they have behaved while they have accomplished nothing. Ninotchka: "How much does this room cost?" Gentlemen commrades: "2,000 francs." N: "A week?" GC: "A day." N: "Comrades, do you know how much a cow costs? A cow costs 2,000 francs. If I stay here a week, I will cost the Russian people seven cows!"
Ninotchka immediately gets to work setting up a meeting with the interested parties to sell the jewels. In the meantime, she has decided explore the city determined to investigate the "public utilities and outstanding achievements." Her first encounter is with Leon; neither one knowing whom the other really is. He is charmed by her refreshing, no nonsense attitude. Leon: "I have been fascinated by your five year plan for the last fifteen years?" When she asks about the Eiffel Tower, he is unable to answer her questions so, he does what every suave man would do (at least to Hollywood writers), he follows her to the attraction. A determined man, he has purchased a guide book and has begun reading to her the facts about the tower. "there are 864 stairs but an elevator is included in the price of admission." Elevator or no, being the strong Russian woman that she is, she takes the stairs while he choose the elevator "included in the price of admission."
A bit annoyed at him, Ninotchka begins to realize her great fortune in having the perfect specimen for her to examine so she goes back to his apartment with him where there true identities are exposed. Leon: "Would you like something to eat?" Ninotchka's reply: "I've had all of my required calories today." She continues..."You are something we do not have in Russia. That is why I believe in the future of my country." "The whites of your eyes are clear. Your cornea are excellent." "Chemically we are already quite sympathetic." "Don't pity me, pity the Polish lancer, after all, I'm still alive."
With grace and fun, Garbo transforms her character from robotic to human and all the way to feminine. As the movie progresses she shows signs of weakening toward the things that capitalism has to offer. Is it the city? "I always felt so sad when the swallows deserted us for capitalistic countries. Now I understand why. We have the high ideals but they have the climate." Is it the Hotel? Is it Leon? "From what I've read, champagne is a strong drink. Does anyone ever get drunk from it?" No matter what the cause, she is falling in love.
Now, the real issue is that the Duchess wants Leon and wants Ninotchka to go home. After a night of too much partying, Ninotchka has been careless with her charge leaving the safe open for a hotel worker to return them to his Duchess who is now happy to return the jewels to the Russia, on one condition...Ninotchka leaves and sees Leon no more.
Though heart wrenching, she is able to make the selfless decision. Ninotchka is use to sacrifice. After all, she is from the Soviet Union where EVERYTHING is rationed. She lives in one large room with two other women, each with her section. In order to have a party, she and the three delegates ration their daily egg in order to have an omelette. Their party is spent reminiscing on the days spent in Paris which only further saddens them as they look around their meagre surroundings that it seems that they are forever to live in. No matter, their allegiance is to Russia.
Well, that is until the same three delegates are sent on a mission to Constantinople. An anonymous report comes back to Moscow saying "...they throw a carpet out of the window and complained to the management that it didn't fly!" Despite her protests, Razinin insists that she go "straighten" them out.
A fun, light hearted movie. It is pleasant to see and hear Garbo laugh. Could it be that only Ernst Lubitsch was able to draw the laughter from her? Would this movie change her life and the directoin of her future movies? How sad that we will never know since she withdrew from society to her Manhattan home not to be seen on the screen again.
And oh the quips! Too many to recount here. This movie is another must see!
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