Sehnsucht (1936)

Sehnsucht: Directed by Frank Borzage. With Marlene Dietrich, Gary Cooper, John Halliday, William Frawley. An automotive engineer bound for a holiday in Spain meets a sultry jewel thief.

“The first part will puzzle Borzageu0026#39;s fans because itu0026#39;s not his usual style:itu0026#39;s a comedy and the fans of u0026quot;little man what now?u0026quot; u0026quot;no greater gloryu0026quot; or u0026quot;lucky staru0026quot; may not get something out of it.Not that Borzage had not broached comedy before:one of his first talkies was u0026quot;they had to see Parisu0026quot; ,a sometimes ponderous satire of American naiveté in France,a country Borzage particularly loved (see u0026quot;Seventh heavenu0026quot; or u0026quot;hearts dividedu0026quot; .u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026quot;Desireu0026quot; begins in France with a nice shot of u0026quot;les Toits Sous Le Ciel De Parisu0026quot;.The scenes between the jeweler and the shrink are sheer genius and have inspired since many screenwriters.Gary Cooper as the naive (not so naive anyway) American and Marlene Dietrich as the elegant glamor false countess make an ideal pairing:he is hot,joyful,singing and she is cold ,remote,suave and there is a special chemistry between them (there are other ladies with whom Cooper was particularly brilliant:two good examples are found in u0026quot;unconqueredu0026quot; with Paulette Godard and u0026quot;cloak and daggeru0026quot; with Lili Palmer,another German actress ) This is also the movie where you u0026#39;ll find the longest honk in the history of cinema.The only movie where theyu0026#39;re talking international politics without being political.Towards the end ,the movie almost turns dramatic ,notably when aunt Olga tells Dietrich about love which is more valuable when it remains impossible.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis is not among my favorite Borzage (considering u0026quot; three comradesu0026quot; u0026quot;mortal stormu0026quot; and u0026quot;strange cargou0026quot; were still to come) but itu0026#39;s really much fun to watch and it is to be recommended .”