Grand Hotel(1932) review

Grand Hotel is a classic film that brought together numerous MGM superstars. Although its historical standing is modest, the film still showcases significant entertainment value and star power. The plot revolves around the diverse guests of a luxurious hotel, each with their unique storyline, creating a film rich in drama and conflict.

The film opens with a brilliant montage, depicting the daily lives of the hotel manager, staff, an entrepreneur, a dancer and her maid, and a baron. This scene concludes with Dr. Otternschlag’s line, “Grand Hotel. People come, people go. Nothing ever happens.” This sets the stage for the main storyline, providing a snapshot of the various states of life during the rapid economic growth after the war.

Greta Garbo’s portrayal of the dancer Grusinskaya is one of the film’s most captivating performances. Her line, “I want to be alone,” was ranked 30th in the AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes. Although Garbo herself felt the line was misquoted, it eerily foreshadowed her own retreat from the public eye at the peak of her career, adding a layer of mystery to her character.

Joan Crawford plays a snobbish typist, and her role in this film helped launch her into Hollywood stardom. John Barrymore and Lionel Barrymore also deliver excellent performances, particularly Lionel’s portrayal of Collingwood, a character with a deeply developed persona.

The film’s conclusion mirrors its opening with Dr. Otternschlag repeating his line, enhancing the film’s sense of pessimism. It suggests a continuous, unchanging cycle, adding an existential layer to the narrative.

Grand Hotel masterfully portrays the various facets of life within a luxury hotel through complex character relationships and a tightly woven plot. Despite its numerous characters and intricate plotlines, the film remains easy to understand, allowing audiences to fully enjoy it. The draw of so many superstars brought viewers to the theaters, helping the film achieve a box office success of $2.25 million, topping the charts that year.

The film is cherished not only for its story and performances but also for capturing the emotions and societal conditions of its era. By intertwining the destinies of different characters, Grand Hotel reflects the social realities and inner worlds of people at the time, making it a classic worthy of repeated viewings.

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