The Common Law (1931) is a weirdly bold Pre-Code drama

Is it worth your time?

If you like 1930s movies where people talk about 'sin' while wearing incredible silk gowns, then yes. It is a quick watch for anyone who likes Pre-Code Hollywood drama.

You will probably hate it if you need a lot of action or if old-fashioned 'moral dilemmas' make you want to roll your eyes. It is very much a movie where people stand in rooms and feel things loudly.

The Paris Vibe

The movie is set in Paris, but it is very obviously a movie set. You can almost smell the fresh paint on the 'old' stone walls.

Constance Bennett plays Valerie. She is a model, which back then was code for something a bit more scandalous, I guess. 🎨

She meets Neville, played by Joel McCrea. He is an artist who looks like he has never held a paintbrush in his entire life, but he sure is handsome.

There is a scene where she first poses for him and the way the light hits her hair is actually really pretty. It made me stop looking at my phone for a second.

The 'Marriage' Problem

Valerie decides she won't marry him because she doesn't want to ruin his reputation. Instead, she suggests they just live together, which was a huge deal in 1931.

I like how Valerie is actually the one with the backbone here. Neville is a bit of a wet blanket when his family shows up.

His family is very stuffy. They remind me of the villains in a silent movie, just without the moustaches to twirl.

There is a guy named Queridge who is just... a lot. Every time he was on screen, I wanted someone to hand him a glass of water so he would stop talking so fast.

Random Thoughts

• The hats in this movie are absolutely wild. One looks like a literal bucket.
• I noticed a scene where a character drinks something and their face barely moves. They were very committed to looking cool.
• It feels a bit like Mata Hari but with less spying and more pouting.
• The ending happens so fast you might blink and miss the resolution.

It is not a masterpiece like some other films from that year, but it has a lot of heart. Or at least a lot of drama.

The dialogue is a bit clunky in spots. Like, nobody actually talks like that in real life, even in 1931.

But Constance Bennett has this way of looking bored and tragic at the same time that is really fun to watch. She carries the whole thing on her shoulders, honestly.

If you have an hour or so and want to see how people used to 'rebel' against society, give it a go. It is better than The Sideshow, that's for sure. 🥂

Just don't expect the artist to actually finish a painting. He spends way too much time staring at Valerie.