Pacionsbo Absolutely Fantastic

Odelecol Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Ezmae Chang This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

edwagreen Well written for the screen although there are flaws. Gary Cooper is mo re like a country bumpkin rather than a respected architect. Even in 1936, Marlene Dietrich looked far older than he did.Nonetheless, we have a great story here where the jewel thief Dietrich finds love with Cooper, who by accident becomes the patsy of the gang of thieves trying to flee Paris with valuable jewels that she has stolen.I really liked the brief role of Olga by Zeffie Tilsbury. She reminded me so of a Gladys George type in Flamingo Road. The old crone, a former prison inmate, and part of the jewelry-thief gang confesses her lost love to Dietrich in a poignant scene.What a great way to dupe the jeweler and psychiatrist in order to steal the very expensive pearls.Always great to see love win out once more in films.

calvinnme This is a delightful Ernst Lubitsch comedy romance, and the second of two films in which Dietrich and Cooper were co-starred. Frank Borzage is listed as director but producer Lubitsch has the signs of his sly romantic comedy all over this film.This was an important film in both stars' careers. It was important for Marlene because this was her first feature film released after ending her association with director Josef Von Sternberg. And this polished, light, breezy affair couldn't be more of a contrast to her previous outings with that director, with Dietrich demonstrating a droll ability with sophisticated comedy. It was an important film for Cooper, too (though Mr. Deeds Goes to Town was just around the corner for him, a film with a bigger impact upon his career). Cooper, though, showed that he, too, could play screen humor very well here, with, in my opinion, one of his most engaging and personable performances. The subtle skill of Cooper's humorous performance, in fact, may surprise those who think of him mainly as a tight lipped western star.The plot involves Coop as an innocent abroad American on vacation in France when he encounters Dietrich on the road (literally). She is beautiful and sophisticated. He is smitten, of course, but doesn't realize that the charming lady is also a jewel thief. I'll stop there, except to say that that this film is a polished delight, and the two stars have great chemistry.One aside- John Gilbert, Dietrich's current lover, had been slated for the role of Deitrich's suave cohort in crime. However, the role went to John Halliday instead. Deitrich had helped Gilbert stop drinking, but losing the role and news of Deitrich's affair with Cooper caused Gilbert to hit the sauce hard once again and he was soon dead of a heart attack. The role could have been a game changer for Gilbert. Too bad we shall never know.

claudiaeilcinema A chemistry lesson by two masters at their craft. Dietrich and Cooper. What a delight! She looks stronger than him, not physically, but emotionally. A man eater. She could have done whatever she wanted with him but she can't go as far as she might have because she falls in love. What a delight! Cooper's simpleton is a perfect target for a swindler and yet nothing truly harmful comes to him because he's protected by his own decency. What a delight! Lubitch producing this time, manages to infuse his glorious magic in this remarkable equation. I enjoyed it so much that I had to see it again immediately. What a delight!

Neil Doyle Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper show an unexpected flair for romantic comedy that goes into high gear during DESIRE. They are surrounded by some expert supporting players, including Alan Mobray as a doctor who is "taken" by Marlene's sly and crafty jewel thief.The plot is thin but pleasant and moves at a fast clip with ample chemistry between Dietrich and Cooper more than making up for the slight story. When Dietrich accidentally lets Cooper get away with the pearl necklace she has stolen, she has to follow him and lure him back with some fancy scheming. John Halliday has fun with his role as her consort in crime but it is Alan Mobray who has the plum supporting role as the doctor she so charmingly deceives.Diverting entertainment with Dietrich expert as the exotic jewel thief under Frank Borzage's direction. The whole picture has such a light touch you'd think it was directed by Ernst Lubitsch.