Marie Walewska

The production of this historical film of the divine Garbo was preceded by a very interesting casting. Charles Boyer became a Napoleon alongside Garbo, and although the Algiers was a huge hit, Conquest was only average. It was the last film for Garbo, whose films have always been pivotal successes in Europe before she found herself on the infamous Box Office Poison list. And just as von Sternberg had a hard time with Hedy Lamarr's next film I Take This Woman, Machatý had a hard time with Conquest. Paramount was even supposed to take inspiration and make a film about Josephine with Marlene Dietrich, but luckily that didn't happen. So much for the context that influenced the story of Marie Walewska. The film itself is a very good, routinely made film, unfortunately at a time when Garbo was idle and reaping the benefits of her second contract. I would have preferred it if she had been willing to film more. (13/02/2009)