Garbo (2005)

User Rating:

8.8/10   

Directors:

Christopher Bird
Kevin Brownlow

Writers:

Christopher Bird (writer)
Kevin Brownlow (writer)

Genre:

Documentary | Biography

Plot Keywords:

Character Name In Title

Cast

Julie Christie	...	Narrator (voice)
Greta Garbo	...	Herself (archive footage)
Charles Busch	...	Himself - interviewee
Karen Swenson	...	Herself - interviewee
James Karen	...	Himself - interviewee
Barry Paris	...	Himself - interviewee
Gray Reisfield	...	Herself - interviewee
Mary Pickford	...	Gwendolyn (archive footage)
Lars Hansen	...	Himself (archive footage)
Mimi Pollak	...	Herself - 1993 interview (archive footage) (as Mimi Pollack)
Derek Reisfield	...	Himself - interviewee
Mauritz Stiller	...	Himself (archive footage)
Victor Sjöström	...	Himself (archive footage)
Daniel Selznick	...	Himself - interviewee
Mark Vieira	...	Himself - interviewee

Runtime:

UK:85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

Turner Classic Movies (TCM)

Movie Connections:

Features Ninotchka (1939)

A superb documentary on the most mystifying actress in film history

This is a feature-length documentary titled 'Garbo' and was hosted by Turner Classic Movies. I've seen this film before and the great thing about watching it a second time is that my feelings towards Greta Garbo have changed. I never really appreciated her the way I do now. Since my last viewing I've taken the liberty of finding out more about her -- reading what people had to say -- and how there was nobody like her before or after. This film is also great for newcomers, for anybody who wishes to know more about this legendary icon, or as one person referred to as a mythological figure.

The documentary includes interviews from a couple of Garbo biographers, including Barry Paris; her friend and walking companion, Sam Green; friends and living relatives, and a number of people who have their own stories to tell about their alleged Garbo sightings on the streets of New York. I especially loved the footage, however intrusive, and the charming recounts some of the people had to say.

Perhaps the most endearing recount is given by Charles Busch, who tells us about a time when he followed Garbo into a Japanese antique store and how there was nobody in there besides the clerk. He describes how he watched her but never dare approach her, and when he picked up a little green figurine, then moments later Garbo picked up that very same figurine. What a moment! Garbo enthusiasts can only imagine how he must have felt.