One of five talkies Gloria Swanson made in her early talkie period. This is a forgotten gem of a romantic comedy-drama about "two modernes" whose marriage is not a traditional one but a "perfect understanding." Like THE TRESPASSER, INDISCREET, TONIGHT OR NEVER, and MUSIC IN THE AIR, a solid film with a terrific performance by its star--Gloria Swanson. But along with WHAT A WIDOW (a lost film) this was a flop at the box office after the smash hit talkie debut with THE TRESPASSER in 1929.
Swanson plays an American interior designer who marries a wealthy Brit, Laurence Olivier, but only after agreeing to have a perfect understanding of a marriage. After a lengthy honeymoon in Europe Swanson heads back to London to do a few jobs while Olivier stays behind in Cannes. Enter the spoiler: a woman who schemes to break up the marriage. Back in London Olivier admits his indiscretion so Swanson sets out to get even. She can't do it but he believes she did. Divorce proceedings begin. Nothing really new here but the two stars are wonderful and gorgeous and worth every minute of screen time.
Co-stars include John Halliday, Nora Swinburne as the spoiler, Miles Malleson, Genevieve Tobin, Miles Malleson (who also wrote the script), and Swanson's then husband, Michael Farmer.
Terrific scenes include a "cocktail regatta," which involves cocktails served at various stops during a speedboat race at Cannes! The race is the catalyst in breaking up the marriage. Swanson also sings a nice song, "I Love You So Much That I Hate You."
Both Swanson and Olivier look great and the sets and lighting are beautiful in the newly restored print. The plot twist at the end is neat and satisfying.
Swanson plays an American interior designer who marries a wealthy Brit, Laurence Olivier, but only after agreeing to have a perfect understanding of a marriage. After a lengthy honeymoon in Europe Swanson heads back to London to do a few jobs while Olivier stays behind in Cannes. Enter the spoiler: a woman who schemes to break up the marriage. Back in London Olivier admits his indiscretion so Swanson sets out to get even. She can't do it but he believes she did. Divorce proceedings begin. Nothing really new here but the two stars are wonderful and gorgeous and worth every minute of screen time.
Co-stars include John Halliday, Nora Swinburne as the spoiler, Miles Malleson, Genevieve Tobin, Miles Malleson (who also wrote the script), and Swanson's then husband, Michael Farmer.
Terrific scenes include a "cocktail regatta," which involves cocktails served at various stops during a speedboat race at Cannes! The race is the catalyst in breaking up the marriage. Swanson also sings a nice song, "I Love You So Much That I Hate You."
Both Swanson and Olivier look great and the sets and lighting are beautiful in the newly restored print. The plot twist at the end is neat and satisfying.