Camille

George Cukor, 1936

“When one may not have long to live, why shouldn't one have fancies?” In perhaps one of the greatest tragic love stories of all time, Greta Garbo and Robert Taylor play their roles to perfection as the beautiful yet chronically ill courtesan Marguerite Gautier and the smitten young suitor, Armande Duval, who has the world at his fingertips but instead chooses to pursue the one thing he will never fully possess. Love becomes immortalized, intangible, and all the more desirable from the first moment they meet on screen. Garbo and Taylor bring love to life, which in itself is reason enough to fall in love with 'Camille', though we are given plenty more to justify our adoration in this stunning adaptation of Alexander Dumas' original novel, 'The Lady of the Camellias'.

Set in early 19^th century Paris, Camille tells the story of Marguerite Gautier, a woman of questionable morals and a heart too generous for her financial assets, wades through the sea of the rich men inhabiting Paris, doing what she must in order to support her lavish lifestyle and ever increasing debt. Prudence, a friend who is seemingly looking out for Marguerite's best interest, sets up a meeting for her with the sinfully rich Baron de Varville (Henry Daniell). A mix-up involving theatre seats allows Armande the chance to slip upstairs and finally meet the woman he has been in love with for years. She mistakes him for the Baron de Varville, and is instantly attracted to the dashing young man, who couldn't begin to come close to the Baron's financial affluence. A love triangle ensues between the three, as Marguerite struggles to decide between true love and financial pragmatism. Though she continually tries to push him away, Armande is relentless in his passion and love for Marguerite and eventually she gives into his antics and escapes with him to the gentle countryside, where her health improves and the young couple's love flourishes. When Armande's father realizes what is going on he encourages Marguerite to commit the ultimate act of selflessness and end the tryst forever.

In perhaps one of her greatest films ever, Greta Garbo simply steals the stage with her flawless acting which awards her with an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. She balances her role perfectly between her frailty brought on by tuberculosis, and her incredible will to live and withstand the pressures of the society. The sheer brilliance that she brings to the film in some ways put a damper on her co-stars, namely the incredibly handsome Robert Taylor. Just as his character is naive and in need of refinement, so is the actor himself. He lacks the necessary stage command in which Garbo and Daniell excel, and yet the film does not suffer for it. While his acting is not the best quality, he brings a certain sincerity to his role that allows him to redeem himself and stand proud alongside the great Greta Garbo.

Linsey Estes