True wit meets marital grit in this timeless Noel Coward comedy about two bon vivants who can't live without -- or with -- each other. Having barely survived the warefare of their wedlock, Amanda (Norma Shearer) and Elyot (Robert Montgomery) decide the play it safe, choosing dull mates to marry the second time around. But pedestrian is no match for passion, especially when mixed with proximity -- as in adjourning honeymoon suites! Off they go, leaving stunned new spouses to console each other. But it isn't lomg until the brawls begin again. Montgomery was never more suave and Shearer never more slinky than in this pinnacle of the sophisticated comedy. A true classic regularly produced on stages everywhere, this was Coward's personal favorite of all his plays.
R**A
Believable Comedy
It's like all of the best comedy we've known in movie making. Most of all, the dialogue is clear and succinct.
P**L
One of the great comedies of all time.
If you like Noel Coward, sophisticated people and their marriages and divorces, and their cynicisms and very polite violence, you will love this film. Every scene is a riot.Una Merkel is ecellent, but Norma Shearer and Robert Montgomery are superlative. I have the VHS and I have worn it out. An older movie, but who cares? It cheers you up for weeks!
B**H
An OK movie to add to my movie/TV library
I had seen the play a few times, so was familiar with the plot. However, with older movies, it is sometimes hard to understand all the dialogue, and no captioning was available. I must say I enjoyed the live version more, even though those characters were played by amateurs. However, I am glad to add it to my movie/TV library.
J**R
Noel Coward's Wittiest Play
This MGM film of the Megahit play by Noel Coward is said to carefully follow the performances on stage by Gertrude Lawrence and Mr. Coward Himself. At once a satire of British comedies of behavior and a flat-out physical comedy, this DVD of the film will not let you down. As usual with Amazon, the shipping was flawless and the DVD arrived early.
D**H
It does not hold up
My wife and I really wanted to like this film, but in the end we could not even watch it all the way through. The acting, staging and quality of the DVD all disturbed us. As expected from Hollywood films of the 1930s there were major plot and scene differences from the play. For one I cannot understand the dramatic sense of having the two major characters do technical climbing up a German mountain or spend the night group bed with at least 3 other couples in a German Hostel. The images were not sharp. The sound was ok. The Warner Archive collection DVD is a DVD R and not pressed. Far closer to the original play is a version of Private Lives that can be found in "the Noel Coward Collection" from a series seen on the BBC. Both my wife and I found this to be more satisfying than the Sidney Franklin movie.
T**O
Classic Coward
Norma Shearer and Robert Montgomery are perfectly cast in this 1931 screen version of the famous play by Noel Coward about a battling couple who can't live with or without each other even after their divorce . Sophisticated fun and an early classic from MGM .
J**N
Strained Performances But Worth Watching
Norma Shearer is fine but Robert Montgomery struggles to find his inner urbanity. He never quite gets there. Other performances are fine.The screenwriter tries to expand on Noel Coward's brilliant play with mixed results. Nice to see some outdoor scenery but not necessary to the story.
J**S
Four Stars
Very nice
M**N
"Someday I'll Find You"
Perfectly cast and acted, with Noel Coward's lovely song "Someday I'll Find You" running through the film. Of it's time (1931) so if you're a fan of these golden oldies you won't be disappointed. A bit over-long and the plot stretches credulity somewhat but I loved it!
J**N
description of product
Enjoyed watching the film The only problem was not knowing the film was in English as the cover etc were in French
L**S
'Private Lives' 1931
The film was good..but not as good as I had anticipated..sadly..NOT you fault,,Thanks..Louisa J Holmes
M**G
enjoyable dvd
a bit silly i must confess , but enjoyable
W**N
Five Stars
worth a couple of views
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