Counsellor At Law (1933) :
Brief Review -
Never saw any lawyer-driven film so depressing and refreshing at the same time. One of Wyler and Barrymore's best works from the 1930s. John Barrymore's last best days were in his early 30s, and his last known works came in these 5 years of the early talkie era. My top favourite is the Oscar-winning "Grand Hotel" (1932), and I am glad to tell you that Counsellor At Law was very close to its greatness. Despite striking a tragic note and disassembling near the end, both films end with a positive message. Grand Hotel was about the life-circle and too subtle for its time. Counsellor At Law may not be that subtle and meaningful, but it's a wonderful film to watch. Perhaps because it is not about multiple people and instead focuses on one man, the protagonist, whereas Grand Hotel was about a group of people with multiple stories colliding in one place. But I must say that Counsellor At Law has to be one of the most beautiful law-driven films ever made in Hollywood, and it doesn't include any court trials or scenes. The story focuses on several days at a critical juncture in the life of a shrewd and successful attorney, George Simon. His workaholic nature keeps him going, but then the possibility of dethroning his career shatters him for a while. That quick depression scene gets you for a while with proper hints way before you anticipated. Suddenly, you are in for a surprise, a refreshing start that completes the circle of life, but I shouldn't reveal anything here. Loved John Barrymore's performance as he was just flawless and vivid. Isabel Jewell's chattering is lovable, and so is Bebe Daniels's cuteness and unspoken love. Believe me, some of the early 30s films by William Wyler are much better than the late 30s overrated mediocrities. This one deserves more attention than many of his late 30s soaps that have gotten undeserving love and hype. Overall, a very good film with a strong and relatable context.
RATING - 7.5/10*
By - #samthebestest.
Never saw any lawyer-driven film so depressing and refreshing at the same time. One of Wyler and Barrymore's best works from the 1930s. John Barrymore's last best days were in his early 30s, and his last known works came in these 5 years of the early talkie era. My top favourite is the Oscar-winning "Grand Hotel" (1932), and I am glad to tell you that Counsellor At Law was very close to its greatness. Despite striking a tragic note and disassembling near the end, both films end with a positive message. Grand Hotel was about the life-circle and too subtle for its time. Counsellor At Law may not be that subtle and meaningful, but it's a wonderful film to watch. Perhaps because it is not about multiple people and instead focuses on one man, the protagonist, whereas Grand Hotel was about a group of people with multiple stories colliding in one place. But I must say that Counsellor At Law has to be one of the most beautiful law-driven films ever made in Hollywood, and it doesn't include any court trials or scenes. The story focuses on several days at a critical juncture in the life of a shrewd and successful attorney, George Simon. His workaholic nature keeps him going, but then the possibility of dethroning his career shatters him for a while. That quick depression scene gets you for a while with proper hints way before you anticipated. Suddenly, you are in for a surprise, a refreshing start that completes the circle of life, but I shouldn't reveal anything here. Loved John Barrymore's performance as he was just flawless and vivid. Isabel Jewell's chattering is lovable, and so is Bebe Daniels's cuteness and unspoken love. Believe me, some of the early 30s films by William Wyler are much better than the late 30s overrated mediocrities. This one deserves more attention than many of his late 30s soaps that have gotten undeserving love and hype. Overall, a very good film with a strong and relatable context.
RATING - 7.5/10*
By - #samthebestest.