Phonearl Good start, but then it gets ruined

Stellead Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Pacionsbo Absolutely Fantastic

Forumrxes Yo, there's no way for me to review this film without saying, take your *insert ethnicity + "ass" here* to see this film,like now. You have to see it in order to know what you're really messing with.

samhill5215 Despite my low rating I must admit to really enjoying this creaky melodrama. The vote is because it's all very formulaic, stilted and stiff. Concepts of love and honor reflect Victorian morality which in itself was utterly unrealistic or even very real. I suspect that even today some people might be shocked to find a woman in a man's bedroom after hours and icily ask her to leave the house even though they were fully clothed but such mastodons were and luckily still are few and far between. But I digress. In the film it was necessary to spur our protagonists into yet another display of manly brotherhood and selflessness and to bring this sad example of bad movie-making to its not altogether unpredictable conclusion.So what's to like? How can one not enjoy Adolphe Menjou, the epitome of the suave knave, paired off with Laurence Olivier in his fourth film, both doing their best with the weak material to steal their common scenes. It was delicious! Both were magnificent, both were divine and it was so much fun to watch. Especially memorable are the scenes where Olivier describes the cut of coat collar with a swoop of his hand that is pure Sir Laurence. And lets not forget Lili Damita who made up for her utter lack of talent by sensuously gliding through her scenes in her tight fighting, low-cut dresses, seemingly barely able to keep herself from devouring her next male victim.Oh what a fun way to spend 68 minutes!

MartinHafer Before the Production Code was strengthened and finally enforced starting in 1934, there were quite a few films that would surprise modern audiences with their colorful language, adult themes and wicked behavior. When I first started watching Pre-Code films, I was shocked with the nudity and discussion of topics such as abortion and adultery. Early into the film, it's obvious that FRIENDS AND LOVERS came out during this more open era. This is not only because of the rather sordid plot but because they show a lot of the leading lady as she showers and dresses--a scene that wasn't necessary to the film but just added a bit of cheesecake.Erich von Stroheim plays an odd role in this film. He is a cuckold of a husband BUT he likes when his wife commits adultery. That's because his routine is to then shake down the men--demanding payment for defiling his wife!! In a way, he's much more like a pimp than anything else--and far from the jealous husband or lover he often played in other films (such as THE GREAT GABBO and BLIND HUSBANDS). The wife is played by Lili Damita and you may remember her as the wife of Errol Flynn. As for the lovers, two are played by Adolphe Menjou and a very young Laurence Olivier--who, for a while, are having their way with Damita. This is complicated, as they are friends and are serving together in the military (though having the very American Menjou and the very British Olivier in the same army did seem like odd casting).When the two men realize that they are sharing DNA with Damita, they immediately are at each other's throats. Commanding officer Menjou sends Olivier off on a dangerous mission, but later realizes how horrible this is and gives chase--trying to catch up with the men sent out on maneuvers. Fortunately, Olivier is saved by Menjou and the two men seem reconciled.At the same time, von Stroheim and Damita have a horrible fight and von Stroheim is killed by a servant who does it to save her life. The men don't realize it, though, as they have both agreed to give her up and burn the letter she sends to tell them what happened to her husband.Time passes and Olivier and Menjou both attend a dinner party. Take a wild guess who is there--yes, in the movie world, this would be Damita. Both men vow that their love for each other will not allow them to have anything to do with her. Naturally, though, the audience knows that this won't lead to something good! Unfortunately, after such an excellent buildup, the final 15 minutes of the film just don't manage to work. Up until then, I'd have given the film a 7, but with the soggy and unbelievable conclusion, it earns a 6--barely.

Ron Oliver The FRIENDS AND LOVERS of a duplicitous female nearly have their lives destroyed by her wicked ways.This well-acted piece of fluff makes no attempt at serious entertainment but manages to engage the viewer nonetheless, mainly because of its unique cast.Lily Damita plays the sultry vamp who has no difficulty in enticing every man she meets. She is the female star of the picture, but her character is completely detestable. It says nothing positive about the moral discernment or intelligence level of the lead male players in the film that they are so completely seduced, for a time.Adolphe Menjou and Laurence Olivier play the two British officers, firm friends, who both fall into Damita's web. Making no pretense at behaving British, Menjou plays the debonair captain who must decide between carnality & comradeship. Olivier, who looks astonishingly young (he turned 24 in 1931) is bright & energetic, projecting shadows of the future Lord Olivier as he advises Menjou as to the proper cut of tailored lapels.Whimsical Hugh Herbert puts his gentle humor to good use as Menjou's Scots valet. Acting as a sort of Greek Chorus to the proceedings around him, he easily steals most of his scenes. Erich von Stroheim, that Teutonic master of menace, dominates the screen with a cunning portrayal of Damita's vile husband. Like an uncoiled snake ready to strike, von Stroheim slithers about the screen, alert to deliver the maximum discomfort to his victims. As always, he is a joy to watch. Alas, that his role is so brief.Frederick Kerr as a boisterous old general, and Blanche Frederici as his straitlaced titled sister provide a few moments of sparkle at the end of the film.The action during the scenes set in India takes place entirely within the walls of a rather dull fort. The Studio, Radio Pictures, apparently were unwilling to spend an extra dime on ambiance.

Ben Parker Cardboard sets on the back of the studio lot, a shocking opening scene between Menjou and Damita, terrible dialogue, poor structure, a plot i didn't care to follow and a cliche concept (love triangle). Menjou (from Paths of Glory) is fairly dreary, his camp cliche conversations with Olivier seemed to stretch the movie out interminably, quite a feat for a movie barely an hour long, and the woman is beautiful, but not really an actress. In truth, there is only one element which rescues this movie (and even then only the scenes this particular gentleman is in), and that is, or he is, Erich von Stroheim.Nobody made being evil look as much fun as Stroheim. Von plays the scheming evil husband of Damita who blackmails her lover, Menjou, to do what i can't remember (even though i just watched it - which perhaps says something about the significance of the plot). Von gives this material the seriousness it deserves (not much), which ironically results in his saving the picture. He plays the husband as a broad comedy character, replete with evil laughter. I noticed him almost choking on some of the dialogue its so ridiculous, but there was also some really great fun dialogue in his scenes, which i can't really remember either, except this:Menjou: Blackmail! Stroheim: Blackmail is such an... ugly word...Stroheim (explaining why he's just read a love letter addressed to his wife from another man): I am a romantic. I enjoy reading other people's letters, doesn't everybody?After the first scene when Menjou and Damita are alone together you've totally written the whole movie off as being able to be taken seriously - but when Von Stroheim appears as the malicious husband, which he plays with flair and humour, all of a sudden you feel this wonderfully trashy facade of a film is actually quite fun. And it is - mainly only Von's scenes and those that comedian Hugh Herbert, playing Menjou's servant, are in.Little-known actress Lili Damita plays the woman every man in this picture is fighting over - and for once, i can understand all the fuss! She's absolutely radiant, really sexy. One of the most beautiful people i've ever seen. She has a racy shower scene where the side of her breast can be seen (i'm not kidding) and a scene where she's getting dressed. These are the luxuries afforded by a pre-code film (1930-1934 i think).The down side to movies from this period is the cardboard-sets, talk-instead-of-cinema nature of them. Aside from the wonderful films of Lubitsch and anything Carole Lombard is in (and Riefenstahl's The Blue Light, perhaps), films from this period are quite poor. They've thrown away everything that was good about silent pictures, and haven't yet learned how to incorporate dialogue well, so what we have are filmed and edited stage plays.Watch out for Lawrence Olivier at 24, in his third ever film, who's so slender, high-voiced and camp he's almost feline. This is not a significant film for anyone involved - the only reason it is notable is probably Olivier (if he's your cup of tea), being one of his first movies and probably his first major role.