Pauline Kael

"Like parents crowing over baby's first steps, MGM announced "Garbo talks!" (in Anna Christie) and "Garbo laughs!" (in Ninontchka), but they missed out when they should have crowed: "Garbo acts!" That was in Camille in 1936. Garbo's Camille is too intelligent for her frivolous life, too generous for her circumstances; she is a divinity trying to succeed as a whore. It's an ironic, sublime performance.... In spite of MGM, Garbo's artistry triumphs, and the tear-jerker Camille is transformed into the "classic" the studio claimed it to be."

Pauline Kael
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (1968), p. 300

originally posted 11/4/05.