This movie is an intriguing remake of the 1930 movie, using the same lead actress, Greta Garbo, and the same sets, but with a different director, a different supporting cast, a different writer, and a different language - German - and this version is far superior. This movie stays true to the actual play and is able to convey the intensity of the story. And this happens because there is no ambiguity over Anna Christie's profession, and this is key to the entire plot. Candidly showing Anna for what she is intensifies the subsequent interactions between her and the other characters, thus strengthening the movie. Also, the actors who play Chris and Matt perform their roles well, and in a far less stagy style. That the movie is in German also lends it a more realistic quality in that all the key characters are Europeans. For this movie is not only about a woman confronting personal issues, it's also about immigrants dealing with separation from their own home lands. One further point: in this movie Greta Garbo is absolutely beautiful and proves her strength and versatility as an actress and artist.
Review of Anna Christie
