6.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Trouble for Two remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like old-school Hollywood, snappy suits, and movies that have no idea if they want to be a lighthearted romp or a gothic thriller, you'll probably get a kick out of Trouble for Two. If you need your plots to be tight and logical, stay far away. This thing is a bit of a mess, but it’s a charming mess.
Robert Montgomery plays the Crown Prince, and he’s clearly having a good time playing someone who’s just bored out of his mind. He’s got that breezy, rich-guy charisma that works well until he walks into the Suicide Club. That’s where the movie takes a sharp left turn into weird territory.
The whole setup of this secret club is hilariously dramatic. It’s like something out of a pulp novel that hasn't quite figured out how to be taken seriously. The lighting is moody, everyone is drinking tea like their lives depend on it, and the stakes feel oddly low for a place where people are supposedly checking out permanently.
Rosalind Russell shows up, and honestly, she’s the best part of the whole thing. She’s got this intense stare that makes you wonder if she’s going to laugh or pull a knife. The scenes between her and Montgomery have this strange, prickly energy. They don't quite fit together, which actually works in the movie's favor.
It reminds me a bit of the vibe you get in Masquerade in Vienna, just with more shadows and way more brooding. The movie doesn't really know how to wrap up, so it just kind of stops. It’s not profound, it’s not perfect, but it’s definitely not boring. Sometimes that’s enough.
