Trouble in Paradise
d. Ernst Lubitsch, 1932
Clearly a masterful film, Ernst Lubitsch's Trouble in Paradise manages to create comedic scenarios unlike any I've seen on film. Unlike most Hollywood screwball/romantic comedies of the time, this film keeps a very specific tone throughout. A tone, sometimes describes as the "Lubitsch Touch," that acknowledges that what the characters are doing could be exploited for comedy, but understands that it is infinitely more fascinating to take them seriously.
The film is about jewel thief Gaston Monescu and about two women in his life, fellow criminal Lily and Madame Mariette Colet, a rich woman from whom he plans to steal 850,000 francs. The way Lubitsch handles this triangle is very interesting and the film, made in 1932, is quite suggestive in its dialogue. It is clear from the beginning that none of these characters are truly being fooled by anybody, as would happen in another movie. Instead, all of them know what they want and consider themselves lucky for knowing how to get it.
Ultimately, Trouble in Paradise is less about its plot than about the wonderful comedy in the situations that arise out of the way the actors (all amazing) play these roles. It's kind of brilliant.
