Ninotchka (1939)

Ninotchka
Directed by Ernst Lubitsch
Written by Billy Wilder, Charles Brackett, and Walter Reisch based on a story by Melchior Lengyel
1938/USA
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Repeat viewing/ Netflix rental
#136 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

[box] Ninotchka: Why should you carry other people’s bags?

Porter: Well, that’s my business.

Madame. Ninotchka: That’s no business. That’s social injustice.

Porter: That depends on the tip.[/box]

As might be expected from its pedigree, this is a movie filled with great one-liners and the Lubitsch touch.

Three bumbling Soviet Trade Commission officials are in Paris seeking to sell the fabulous diamond jewelry confiscated from Countess Swana.  They can hardly wait to check themselves into the Royal Suite of the fanciest hotel in town and start living the high life.   Swana, who now lives in Paris, finds out about their mission and sends Leon (Melvyn Douglas) to try to recover the jewels or sue if he cannot.

When little progress is made in selling the jewels, the Soviets send no-nonsense Ninotchka (Greta Garbo) to check up on the boys.  At first she seems ideally suited for the job.  Then she meets Leon and all bets are off.

I really enjoyed this.  I’ve always liked the guys that could make me laugh so I understand Ninotchka completely.  I’m still not completely sold on Garbo as an actress or a comedienne but the banter is so good that it didn’t matter much.

Ninotchka received four Academy Award nominations, those for Best Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Original Story, and Best Screenplay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NttznDrGzdQ

Trailer