I don't want to refer to the original playwright and the philosophical level that was referred to it because it doesn't suit with the love story which has a main aspect in this script. This film is an alternative version and follows its path.
Fredric March dominates this film but he is too young to contribute the achievement of an overall general outcome to make this one an overall good movie. He expresses his great talent with words, with monologue and dialogue, with gestures, with his monocle figures, his movements and "savoir vivre" overall outcomes (where the hell "death" knew them?) and above all with his humor! He has calculated everything in his part and role... Except to make it believable! But this is Fredric's(death) point of view and I enjoyed the "hilarious" outcome.
His voice tends to be unnatural {in his viewing angle to perform "death"} when he is not performing the kind "sheep" all human would love to adopt... Its not "death" that want to be adopted but it is Fredric! Death is just a step to another path ...etc, etc. And that is what makes this film hilarious. "Death" by Fredric's performance has humor and he is actually very well accepted by human ears!!! On the other head, I enjoyed very much Fredric voice because it is crystal clear and you can hear and understand every word he says (without the use of english subtitles)!
The leading actress shows from the beginning that she is a spoiled child, perhaps a spoiled actress too. She isn't going to grow up, she doesn't know what she wants in her life, in fact she doesn't has a clue about it... When "death" "falls" in her path she on the other hand turns to be "stimulated" by his touch, although first she fears him... She falls for a love without boundaries for the "void" of death... better not to be explained further... That's why she sounds so wooden and untruth until she actually leads "death" to take her with him. The dominant character of Fredric"Death" falls apart for the love of hers!!! The dialogue between them is melodramatic and needs courage to stand it, but fortunately only a few lines are to swallow them...
On the other hand the dialogue and the interaction between Fredric(death) and the other actresses and a few actors is exceptional fine and turn to be interesting and enjoyable, many times filled with humor by Fredric(death).
In general terms, film is enjoyable and turns to be a comedy with many melodramatic tendencies.
In general terms, film is enjoyable and turns to be a comedy with many melodramatic tendencies.