terrible... so disappointed.

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Watching this last night, I was rather surprised to discover that I had never seen it before and also that it is really rather good. I know everybody says it is but I rather expected it to creak a bit, overstay its welcome, be a little too stagey but it is fine. Helped enormously by Joan Crawford who puts in the most sparkling performance and helps get the film off to a roaring start. I found the introduction of Greta Garbo less convincing but gradually warmed to her as she mellowed from the overwrought prima donna to love struck beauty. The Barrymore's, Lionel and John are fantastic and together with the rest of the cast help to keep this ever interesting and amusing film together. The script is perfect and well shared out amongst the fine array of talent, again helping to keep an even flow so that unlike other films of this period there is no plodding centre section and the ending is so sudden and splendid, one is inevitably left with a smile on the face. I can see myself watching this again.

I have always had a strange fascination with Greta Garbo, something about her aloofness makes me orbit around her films over and over again. Grand Hotel presents us with a very lonely persona, much to Garbo herself; stunning, yes, but lonely. The music, the acting, the feeling the film provides you inflicts you with greatness. Perhaps I am biased, considering my fanaticism with Garbo, but she's stunning in this role as the sad, dramatic, suicidal woman who drops her petals and folds her tent. John Barrymore is great as well and GOD (!) Joan Crawford? Always a pleasure for me to see her face. All I needed for this film to be spectacular was Bette Davis and Marlene Dietrich (probably fighting each other). I love this film and I reckon that I'll continue to watch it every couple of years. Highly recommend it if you like oldies, truly oldies, and are in the mood to be stunned by Garbo and Crawford.

In this movie the luxurious "Grand Hotel" in Berlin plays host to several different characters whose lives become intertwined in this intricate drama which won the Academy Award for "Best Picture" in 1932. Although Greta Garbo (as "Grusinkaya") was probably the main star attraction other performers equally shared the stage and were just as impressive. I especially liked Lionel Barrymore (as "Baron Felix von Geigern") and Joan Crawford ("Flaemmchen") in their respective roles but both Greta Garbo and Wallace Beery ("General Director Preysing") were also quite good. Admittedly, a couple of the scenes seemed to drag here and there but the ending tied everything up real well and essentially makes this film the classic that it is. Likewise, having two beautiful stars like Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford certainly doesn't hurt either. Be that as it may this movie is both sad and profound and while it may be somewhat dated it is certainly worthy of its accolades and deserves a look if a person should ever get the opportunity. Definitely above average.

Exceptional all-star MGM drama about the various characters staying at the Grand Hotel and their stories. John Barrymore plays a down-on-his-luck jewel thief. Greta Garbo is a ballet dancer who just "wants to be alone." Lionel Barrymore is a clerk who is dying and has saved up all his money to spend his last days in luxury. Wallace Beery is a villainous German industrialist whose business is teetering on collapse. Joan Crawford is the pretty young stenographer who attracts Beery's lustful eye. Also a memorable turn from Lewis Stone as a doctor with a facial disfigurement from World War I who watches all the goings-on in the hotel and dryly states "Nothing ever happens in the Grand Hotel." They're all great performances but my favorite was probably Lionel Barrymore. A wonderful film that will keep your attention throughout. Dark, mature, sophisticated storytelling. A must-see for everybody.