Watch Desire
- Approved
- 1936
- 1 hr 35 min
-
7.1 (2,938)
Desire is a 1936 film starring Marlene Dietrich, Gary Cooper, and John Halliday. The movie is a suspenseful and thrilling story that revolves around a jewel thief and the man who falls in love with her. This film was directed by Frank Borzage and produced by Ernst Lubitsch, two of the greats in the golden age of Hollywood. The story begins as Tom Bradley, played by Cooper, is on a ship headed towards the French Riviera. He is an engineer who has come to the south of France to find work. He meets a beautiful woman named Madeleine de Beaupre, played by Dietrich, who is traveling in the same direction. The two of them immediately take a liking to one another, but Madeleine is keeping a secret. She is actually a thief, and she is on a mission to steal a valuable necklace that is owned by a wealthy businessman named Adolphe, played by Halliday.
Madeleine is a master of deception and manipulation, and she uses her charms to quickly seduce Adolphe. As he falls deeper into her trap, she begins to construct a plan to steal the necklace. Meanwhile, Tom has fallen hard for Madeleine, but he is unaware of her true intentions. As the story unfolds, we see the lengths that Madeleine will go to in order to get what she wants, and the danger that Tom puts himself in by falling for her.
The tension in the film builds slowly, but as Madeleine's plan to steal the necklace becomes more elaborate, the stakes get higher. The chemistry between Cooper and Dietrich is palpable, and it's easy to see why Tom is so taken with her. However, as the viewer, we feel a sense of dread knowing that Madeleine is not who she appears to be. Dietrich's performance is masterful, as she effortlessly switches between vulnerability and seduction. Cooper, too, delivers a strong performance as the lovestruck Tom.
The cinematography in Desire is stunning, as the film takes full advantage of its French Riviera setting. The scenes in which Madeleine and Tom cruise around on a boat on the Mediterranean are especially breathtaking. The film is also notable for its use of lighting and shadow, which help to create a sense of foreboding and menace.
Desire is a film that keeps you guessing until the very end. As Madeleine's plan unfolds, there are several twists and turns that the viewer doesn't see coming. The climax of the film is both suspenseful and satisfying, as we finally discover the fate of the necklace and the characters we have been invested in.
Overall, Desire is a must-see for fans of classic Hollywood cinema. Dietrich and Cooper are both at the top of their game, and the story is a thrilling ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The film is a prime example of the kind of quality filmmaking that was common during the golden age of Hollywood, and it still holds up today.