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5.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Enter Madame! remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, it depends on how much you like Cary Grant. If you want to see him play the 'suffering husband' role before he really hit his stride in those later, tighter comedies, then sure, dive in. People who want a plot that moves at warp speed might find this a bit dusty, though.
It’s a 1934 flick that feels like it’s constantly trying to catch its breath. The premise is simple enough: man meets opera singer, man marries opera singer, man realizes he’s now the second most important thing in her life. Classic, right?
Elissa Landi is the star here, and she’s got this intense, operatic energy that makes the house feel way too small. She’s constantly surrounded by these eccentric hangers-on and staff. It’s loud. It’s frantic. Sometimes I felt like I needed a nap just watching them run from room to room.
It’s not as polished as something like Down to Earth, but it has a messy charm. You can tell they were just trying to get the scene done before lunch. Sometimes the dialogue overlaps in a way that feels like a real argument, and other times it just feels like they forgot their lines for a split second.
I found myself wondering if anyone actually lives in these houses or if they just exist to hold fancy parties for people to shout at each other. The whole thing feels a bit like a stage play that got lost on its way to a theater. It doesn't quite know how to be a movie, but it’s trying its best.
If you enjoyed the chaos of Lightnin', you might find something to love here. It’s not profound. It’s not going to change your life. It’s just Cary Grant being charmingly frustrated while everyone around him sings way too loud. Sometimes, that’s enough. 🎭