Poland is caught between Napoleon Bonaparte and Russia. Polish Countess Marie Walewska (Greta Garbo) has caught the eyes of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (Charles Boyer). With Napoleon's mounting demands, Polish nobles are desperate for him to grant them independence. They recruit Marie to become his mistress and gain influence.
This is a lavish costume drama. It has Garbo and Boyer who earns an Oscar nomination. There isn't much to the plot other than following history. It needs to be a chess match between Marie and Napoleon but that is not the feel of this. The writing is oddly simple until the one big scene between the two leads. They have big dramatic acting. The last half hour saves the movie before it's too late.
This is a lavish costume drama. It has Garbo and Boyer who earns an Oscar nomination. There isn't much to the plot other than following history. It needs to be a chess match between Marie and Napoleon but that is not the feel of this. The writing is oddly simple until the one big scene between the two leads. They have big dramatic acting. The last half hour saves the movie before it's too late.