Temptation
Temptation

Movie spotlight

Temptation

1935
Movie
98 min
English

Helen Ware, an artist's model, known as the Brown Venus is sad, discouraged and unhappy. When her men friends learn that she often poses nude, they try to become unduly "friendly" or just shun her, with the result that a beautiful girl with the figure of a Goddess finds herself without a lover. In desperation, she goes to a notorious night club and is later seen about to start on the downward trail.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: Erle C. KentonGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

A married woman, Lady Courtney, finds herself drawn to an enigmatic archaeologist during a trip to Egypt. While her husband is away, she begins a passionate affair with the archaeologist, unaware of the darker secrets he harbors. The film explores themes of desire, betrayal, and the consequences of succumbing to forbidden temptation.

Critical Reception

Temptation was met with a mixed reception upon its release. While some critics praised Greta Garbo's performance and the film's atmospheric setting, others found the plot predictable and the pacing uneven. Audiences were divided, with some appreciating the melodrama and Garbo's star power, while others were less impressed by the story's execution.

What Reviewers Say

  • Greta Garbo delivers a compelling performance as a woman torn between duty and desire.

  • The film's exotic Egyptian setting provides a visually rich backdrop for the unfolding drama.

  • The narrative, however, tends to be formulaic and lacks genuine surprise for some viewers.

Google audience: Audience reviews for 'Temptation' are scarce due to its age and limited distribution. However, available commentary often highlights Greta Garbo's iconic presence as a primary draw, with some viewers finding the romantic drama engaging and others deeming it somewhat dated.

Fun Fact

Despite the Egyptian setting, the film was primarily shot on studio backlots in Hollywood, with only minimal second-unit photography reportedly done on location.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review