As You Desire Me Page

: Playing the "demonically sadistic" writer Salter, von Stroheim provides a terrific, bizarre foil to Garbo's character.

: The film is known for its opulent costumes designed by Adrian , including Garbo's notable peroxide blonde wig and striking "Cap without a lid". Critical Consensus

While some find the film "slow moving" or "creaky" by modern standards, it is still considered a "fascinating" piece of cinema for its "histrionic battle" between Garbo and von Stroheim. Reviews from Rotten Tomatoes and NitrateVille.com suggest that while the plot may be "hokey," the star power and philosophical depth make it worth watching. Viewer Perspectives As You Desire Me

The 1932 film As You Desire Me is a complex romantic drama based on a play by . It serves as a stark example of a "problem play" that explores the fluid nature of truth and identity. Critics often highlight it as a definitive "Garbo vehicle" that leverages the star's "mystic quality" and "phenomenal screen presence" . Plot and Themes

: A central theme is that identity is an artificial construct; the heroine declares she will be whoever those around her believe her to be. : Playing the "demonically sadistic" writer Salter, von

: The film leaves it largely ambiguous whether she is truly the missing wife or a masterful imposter, a "Pirandellian mystery" that keeps viewers guessing. Performance and Style

: Her performance is widely praised for rising above the "hokey" or "far-fetched" script. Modern reviewers note her "overt sensuality" and "amazing screen aura," though some find her theatrical gestures a bit dated. Reviews from Rotten Tomatoes and NitrateVille

“Melvyn Douglas really was a bore in that one, I liked the Stroheim character far better. It would also have been nice to make his relationship with Garbo more ambiguous.” NitrateVille.com · 13 years ago