As You Desire Me
Bar entertainer Zara is a discontented alcoholic who is pursued by many men but lives with novelist Carl Salter. One day, Tony shows up on Salter's estate claiming that Zara is actually Maria, the wife of his close friend Bruno, claiming that her memory was destroyed during World War I. Zara doesn't remember but leaves with Tony to Salter's dismay. Bruno, now an officer in the Italian Army, tries to coax Maria's memory back on his large estate. No one is really sure if Zara is Maria, and when Salter shows up with a mental case from Trieste that he claims is the real Maria, everyone on Bruno's estate is desperately searching for the truth.
Insights
Plot Summary
A mysterious woman named Zara is believed to be the long-lost wife of Count Alberto, an Italian aristocrat. However, a former lover from her past reappears, claiming she is actually his circus dancer companion, Maria. Zara must choose between her life with Alberto and her former identity, all while trying to uncover her own true past.
Critical Reception
As You Desire Me received mixed to positive reviews upon its release. While Greta Garbo's performance was widely praised for its dramatic depth and emotional resonance, the film's plot was sometimes seen as convoluted or melodramatic. The film was a moderate box office success, with its primary draw being Garbo's star power.
What Reviewers Say
- Greta Garbo delivers a compelling and emotionally charged performance, anchoring the film with her star presence.
- The narrative, while intriguing, can be dense and occasionally stretches credulity.
- The film's exploration of identity and memory is a key thematic element.
Google audience: Audience reception information for this classic film is not readily available in a quantifiable format.
Awards & Accolades
None notable.
Fun Fact
The film's original title was 'Glamour,' but it was changed to 'As You Desire Me' to better reflect Luigi Pirandello's play upon which it was based.
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