5.9/10
Senior Film Conservator

A definitive 5.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Reunion in Vienna remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a soft spot for pre-code films where everyone is slightly drunk on champagne and ego, you'll probably enjoy Reunion in Vienna. It’s definitely not for folks who need a grounded, realistic drama; if you prefer your movies to have a bit of dirt under their fingernails, you might find this one a little too perfumed.
John Barrymore is basically playing a caricature of a royal exile, and honestly, he’s having the time of his life. He swaggers through every room like he still owns the place, even though he's clearly broke and living on borrowed time. It’s one of those performances that shouldn't work—it’s too big, too loud—but somehow it anchors the whole thing.
The core of the movie is that weird, itchy dynamic between the ex-lover and the husband. Diana Wynyard plays the wife caught in the middle with such a weary, knowing look. You can tell she’s exhausted by the sheer audacity of these men.
There’s a scene at the dinner table that goes on forever, and the way the camera just sits there while the psychoanalyst tries to stay calm while the Archduke baits him is... well, it’s honestly pretty funny. The husband is so stiff he looks like he’s made of cardboard.
I couldn't help but think about how different this feels from something like The Haunted Bedroom. Where that film relies on atmosphere and shadows, this one is just pure, unfiltered personality clashing. It’s all about the talk.
Sometimes the dialogue feels like it’s trying a bit too hard to be witty, and a few lines landed with a thud. But then Barrymore does something ridiculous, like dramatically dropping his coat or glaring at a waiter, and you're back in it.
Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it worth watching on a rainy Tuesday? Absolutely.
It’s the kind of movie that feels like a forgotten relic, but in a good way. It’s messy, it’s slight, and it doesn't care if you like the main character or not. Honestly, that’s a nice change of pace. 🥂

IMDb —
1927
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