This offers an insight into the lives of rich sophisticates in thirties America; a celebrated and entitled -but alcoholic- lawyer (Lionel Barrymore) and his reckless, free spirited daughter (Norma Shearer). It is interesting that with fascism gaining influence in America and Europe, MGM gave us heroes who see themselves as above the law and normal standards of behaviour.
Barrymore successfully defends a prohibition gangster (Clark Gable) from a murder rap and Shearer falls in love with him and his expensive lifestyle. And if that's starting to look like an impressive cast, there's Leslie Howard second billed as a well heeled polo star in love with Norma. They stand around expensive apartments in swanky clothes drinking cocktails as their laissez faire decadence reaps a whirlwind.
Barrymore won the best actor Oscar and Shearer was nominated, which is a bit of a stretch. They give stilted, mannered performances. Much of the problem is in the direction of Clarence Brown who abandons his stars to lengthy long or medium shots, like actors on a stage. Brown's work got nominated too and he became a star director of soaps at MGM.
The main interest in A Free Soul today is to see Norma Shearer, a huge star of the early talkies, and the frivolous precode hedonism. The film opens with a discussion on Norma's scanty lingerie. The writing is unpolished, the sound is poor and it has a flat, uninteresting look. But it's fascinating to hear what Hollywood was talking about before the censors took over. And to see the costume design, by Adrian.
does the synopsis mean to call him a tosspot? does it mean hotshot? surely this needs rewriting....................................?????????????