Design for Living (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]

There is something to be said for an era that could produce a film like this. The decade of the 1930s gets a bad press, much deserved. Perhaps, if it had appointed Ernst Lubitsch as its official publicist, we would have better memories. But we'll take these couple of hours and cherish them.'Design For Living' is a comedy that plays with everything: gender roles; being an artist; social climbing; business; sex... oh, and especially the audience. The commentary/interviews included with this Criterion issue offer a good deal of insight into just how clever Lubitsch was as a filmmaker. My only quibble is with critics who think this particular 'design for living' - one woman, two men - is anything of the sort. It is facile to suggest we are meant to conclude from the story that people should have what they desire, rather than submit to social convention. Anyone can make a play along those lines, and many have. This film, on the contrary, sends up the whole idea of constructing a design for living, self-indulgent, self-controlled, or otherwise. Enjoy the situations, enjoy the acting, enjoy the wit and humour, enjoy the games - all of which will stimulate enough grey matter to have you thinking long after the curtain falls - but don't look for a philosophy lesson.The restored print used here is superb. It is hard to believe its age. The cast is wonderful. Miriam Hopkins (who appears in two other splendid Lubitsch films, 'The Smiling Lieutenant' and 'Trouble in Paradise') could generate the power supply for a small town. She shimmers in this part. Sexy and smart, she attracts the amour of two men (if you exclude the whole male audience) without ever submitting or pouting or simpering. There is a certain teflon quality to her rapidity of mind and movement that seems to deflect their advances onto each other and back onto themselves, and yet the character is never cold or aloof. Something magical is achieved in the characterisation and Hopkins' performance. Gary Cooper does very well in a role somewhat outside his usual range. Frederic Marsh is truly very funny. Edward Everett Horton plays to his strengths, and they, too, are considerable.

Amazing Pre-Code film that I'm ecstatic to see has been selected by Criterion for this DVD release. I've been a fan of this particular genre for over a decade and when asked by friends to pick a movie that would help introduce them to the best of the Pre-Code releases in existence and release, I almost always pick "Design for Living".Everything is just spot on - excellent performances, witty banter and a most unusual (yet completely plausible) exploration of the very nature of love and commitment. While missing some of the more naughty innuendo of the original Coward production, it still contained enough sex, sophistication and above all and at the heart of the film, a loving trio, to become one of the pinnacle films to sound the death knell on the pre-Hays freedom days and put into action the Production Code.The bare bones of the story goes like this - girl (Gilda) meets boys (Tom & George) on a train. The three start off as friends and I'll leave it at that. Any more would completely ruin the plot and though you can probably guess what happens next, this is a movie that should be seen, savored and enjoyed piece by piece and scene by scene. I must say though, if put in Gilda's situation and forced to choose between Frederic March and Gary Cooper at the height of their talents, handsomeness and charm, why not establish 'a gentleman's agreement', particularly when one of the trio is most notably not a gentleman?Directed masterfully by Ernst Lubitsch from Ben Hecht's adaptation of Noel Coward's play, this is definitely more than a light, screwball comedy. It's one of the best, most sophisticated and unconventional romances you'll ever see on screen. Even for a modern audience, the theme is not outdated, which just goes to show how ahead of the curve many Pre-Code films were even when seen through our 21st century eyes. One has to wonder just how many more gems such as this we might have gotten, had the Code not crashed the party.

I've been watching films from the pre-code era lately and I've seen some surprising finds, but this is probably the funniest of all the pre-code Hollywood movies I've seen. Maybe only some slapstick comes to mind as perennially funny as Design for Living, but certainly not as original. Totally charming.

I saw this first on VHS. The transfer to BluRay is great. Looks like new movie if you can deal with B&W.Unless you are already familiar with the “Pre-Code” period you may find this astonishing fir 1933. There may even aspects that would raise an eyebrow in 2021 at least slightly.

This is precode and a little bit racy, an enjoyable film.

It is better looking, quality wise than expected, for a picture of this vintage. Criterion is hard to beat.

Loved the cast in this movie although I found the story a little drawn out.

One of Lubitsch best and most modern films, where threesome relationship is portraid with a joyful yet not cliche energy, where it is not all good or bad and the story takes you up and down with a unique writing and directing style. Actors are fabulous and blu ray transfer is clean and elegant. A must have, still brilliant after all these years

confirms lubitsch as one the the greatest.stylish is a understatement.one of his top five.gary cooper is a revelation playing comedy.