Based on a Eugene O'Neill play, "Anna Christie" was filmed at a time of transition in Hollywood from the silent era to sound. Because of the technical limitations imposed by the new sound process, the film is static visually and harsh aurally. Despite some atmospheric shots, director Clarence Brown rarely moved the camera and rarely framed his actors in anything but a medium shot. Contemporary viewers unaccustomed to films of the late 20s and early 30s will likely fidget at the monotonous visuals and scratchy soundtrack.
"Anna Christie" was also a transitional film for Greta Garbo. In her first sound feature, Garbo at times reverts to the mannerisms of the silent era. However, her voice meshed perfectly with her established image, and her performance was effective, if not among her best. The film's scene stealer was Marie Dressler, who walked off with the movie whenever she was on screen. While not a subtle performance, Dressler created a colorful character with substantial depth in her few scenes. Charles Bickford and George Marion provided able support to what was certainly a major production effort by MGM to transition one of their most valuable stars from the silents to the talkies.
For the period, the film presents a a strong female character at its core. Anna resists the efforts of both her father and her boyfriend to control her life. When she reveals to both men what she had been required to do in the past in order to survive, she is prepared for whatever reaction she may get. Although Garbo makes it apparent what she wants the men to say, her character is strong enough to get on with her life with or without men involved.
Anna Christie certainly matches some of the other strong characters in the Garbo gallery such as Queen Christina, who may want the love of a man and may be willing to sacrifice for it, but are strong and independent enough to survive without it and not suffer the fate of the Marie Dressler character. While "Anna Christie" creaks today and at times requires an effort to watch, the film is a valuable historical work. Certainly anything with Garbo is worth watching, and when "Garbo talks" the audience still listens, despite the clumsy technical production.
"Anna Christie" was also a transitional film for Greta Garbo. In her first sound feature, Garbo at times reverts to the mannerisms of the silent era. However, her voice meshed perfectly with her established image, and her performance was effective, if not among her best. The film's scene stealer was Marie Dressler, who walked off with the movie whenever she was on screen. While not a subtle performance, Dressler created a colorful character with substantial depth in her few scenes. Charles Bickford and George Marion provided able support to what was certainly a major production effort by MGM to transition one of their most valuable stars from the silents to the talkies.
For the period, the film presents a a strong female character at its core. Anna resists the efforts of both her father and her boyfriend to control her life. When she reveals to both men what she had been required to do in the past in order to survive, she is prepared for whatever reaction she may get. Although Garbo makes it apparent what she wants the men to say, her character is strong enough to get on with her life with or without men involved.
Anna Christie certainly matches some of the other strong characters in the Garbo gallery such as Queen Christina, who may want the love of a man and may be willing to sacrifice for it, but are strong and independent enough to survive without it and not suffer the fate of the Marie Dressler character. While "Anna Christie" creaks today and at times requires an effort to watch, the film is a valuable historical work. Certainly anything with Garbo is worth watching, and when "Garbo talks" the audience still listens, despite the clumsy technical production.