Happenings At The Grand

“Grand Hotel” (1932) – movie review
Today’s review is for the ensemble drama “Grand Hotel” (1932), directed by Edmund Goulding and produced by Irving Thalberg for MGM.  The film stars Greta Garbo as Grusinskaya (a fading Russian ballerina haunted by loneliness), John Barrymore as Baron Felix von Gaigern (a charming but impoverished nobleman turned thief), Joan Crawford as Flaemmchen (a stenographer with ambition and vulnerability), Wallace Beery as Preysing (a ruthless industrialist entangled in shady deals), and Lionel Barrymore as Otto Kringelein (a terminally ill clerk determined to live fully before death).  With cinematography by William H. Daniels and music by William Axt, the film weaves multiple lives together in the opulent setting of Berlin’s Grand Hotel.
Background:  This is another of the old, black and white films I’m committed to viewing to gain an appreciation for cinematic “art”.  Having said that, I’m finding out that ANY film which wins the Oscar for Best Picture generally has something to say and is worth viewing…   Released in 1932, “Grand Hotel” was adapted from Vicki Baum’s novel “Menschen im Hotel” and William A. Drake’s stage play.  It was a landmark production:  the first major “all-star” Hollywood film, showcasing MGM’s roster of talent in a single narrative.  The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1932, notable as the only Oscar it received.  Its historic significance lies in pioneering the ensemble drama format, later echoed in films like “Airport” and “Crash“.  The famous line:  “Grand Hotel. People come, people go. Nothing ever happens” became emblematic of its theme:  the fleeting intersections of human lives.
Plot:  Within the luxurious Berlin hotel, disparate characters cross paths.  Grusinskaya contemplates suicide until she meets the Baron, whose charm rekindles her spirit.  The Baron, however, is secretly plotting theft to escape poverty.  Flaemmchen, caught between ambition and survival, becomes entangled with both the Baron and Preysing.  Kringelein, facing imminent death, seeks joy and dignity in his final days, while Preysing’s ruthless business dealings spiral into violence.  The narrative culminates in tragedy and renewal:  the Baron’s death, Grusinskaya’s departure, Kringelein’s bittersweet liberation, and Flaemmchen’s uncertain future.
So, is this movie any good?  How’s the acting?  The filming / FX?  Any problems?  And, did I enjoy the film?  Short answers:  Yes;  exceptional;  elegant and atmospheric;  a few dated elements;  so-so.
Any Good?  Yes.  “Grand Hotel” remains a masterclass in ensemble storytelling.  Its ambition — weaving multiple arcs into a single setting — was groundbreaking in its day.  The film’s themes of mortality, ambition, and fleeting connection resonate even today.
Acting:  Greta Garbo delivers one of her most iconic performances, balancing fragility with grandeur.  John Barrymore brings charm and pathos to the Baron, while Joan Crawford shines with wit and vulnerability.  Lionel Barrymore provides emotional depth as Kringelein, and Wallace Beery embodies ruthless capitalism with menace.  The ensemble’s chemistry is remarkable, each performance distinct yet interconnected.
Filming / FX:  The cinematography by William H. Daniels captures both intimacy and grandeur.  Long takes and fluid camera movements emphasize the hotel’s labyrinthine corridors, symbolizing the intertwining of lives.  The production design conveys opulence, while lighting underscores emotional contrasts.  Though lacking modern effects, the film’s visual style remains elegant.
Problems:  Some dialogue feels melodramatic by modern standards, and pacing occasionally drags.  The film’s depiction of women, while progressive in giving agency to Garbo and Crawford, still reflects 1930s gender norms.  Yet these issues are minor compared to its achievements.
Did I Enjoy the Film?  So-so.  “Grand Hotel” is captivating in an old fashioned way, both as cinema and as cultural artifact.  I admired its ambition and enjoyed both its performances and its thematic layering / interwoven story lines.  Watching it feels like stepping into a time capsule of Hollywood’s golden age.
Final Recommendation:  Moderate to Strong recommendation.  “Grand Hotel” is a historic ensemble drama that won the Academy Award for Best Picture and pioneered the “all-star” format.  Its themes of mortality, ambition, and fleeting human connection remain relevant.  If you appreciate classic cinema, landmark performances, or films that shaped Hollywood history, this one is essential viewing.  Trust me…  I never thought I’d say that during the first five minutes of this film, but it really grows on you.
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Click here (22 December) to see the posts of prior years.  I started this blog in late 2009.  Daily posting began in late January 2011.  Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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