MovieChat Forums > Counsellor at Law (1933) Discussion > Criminally Obscure Masterpiece

Criminally Obscure Masterpiece


If you're on this board, you probably agree.

Brilliant performances straight across the board, perhaps Barrymore's best. A tightly wound adapted screenplay almost too smart for its audience, typically masterful direction by Wyler. The absolute balls it takes to run this hot sans score, it happens so seldom that it never fails to drop jaws. Precious few films come close to this sort of understated genius, Glengarry Glenross is the only comparable one that springs to mind. A shame people aren't more familiar with this gem.

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I feel the same way. I watched it twice in two nights, and wouldn't mind seeing it again. The fact that it was a successful stage play first (like Glengarry) probably does a lot to explain why the script works so well. The characters are perfectly thought out, and every bit of business has a purpose. Plus, it's just fascinating to watch those 1930's office gadgets.

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Wow, I had the exact opposite experience with this film than you did. To me, this film was all over the place. The first ten minutes consisted of different characters entering and exiting rooms. The entire film had overlapping dialogue that was barely audible. And the receptionist in the film was extremely annoying.

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