Directed: Edmund Goulding

Year: 1932

Nominated: Best Film

Won: Best Film

Plot in 25 Words: A wonderful showcase featuring the interlocking and weaving of so many different lives. Big names and small stories. And importantly, I want to be alone!

In My Opinion: This really was a mixed bag of a film. Lots of connected plots and characters made for an enjoyable film.

I really like watching Wallace Beery play the opposite of type and he was brilliant but opposite him was the magnificent Joan Crawford. I was surprised to see her name in the credits, but wow she just blew me away. A thoroughly stunning woman with such charisma and presence. Grand Hotel is unique in that it is the only Best Picture winning film to not have a single nominee in any acting category and I am very surprised given the talent on display.?

There was lots of interlocking plots and characters and at times I struggled to follow along but that’s been an embarrassingly common problem for me. Between not recognising the actors and the sometimes poor quality of the film I found it difficult to differentiate between various actors. And films such as this one, with a large cast didn’t help!

But I made it through, and enjoyed pretty much all of it.

Star Performer: Joan Crawford. Stunning woman. Stunning actress.

Overall: I liked it. Little bit of humour, but of drama. Very well directed and put together.