Quartile rating: 8/10 · 1 rating
Two employees at a gift shop can barely stand one another, without realising that they are falling in love through the post as each other's anonymous pen pal.
Lubitsch's masterpiece of romantic comedy is celebrated for its warmth, wit, and perfectly observed human dynamics. The plot is an elegant, clockwork construction — the dramatic irony of two bickering co-workers unknowingly being each other's pen pals is sustained beautifully throughout. Stewart and Sullavan deliver career-best performances with remarkable naturalism and chemistry, earning a genuine 4 for acting. Cinematography is competent and atmospheric but functional studio work — it serves the story without remarkable visual distinction, landing at 3. Novelty is tricky: the premise was not wholly original even then (based on a play), and while Lubitsch's 'touch' is singular, the film works within established screwball/romantic comedy conventions rather than reinventing them, earning a solid 3. The ending, while satisfying and emotionally earned, is a fairly conventional romantic resolution without a great final twist or surprise — a 3. Overall this is a near-flawless romantic comedy whose reputation is fully deserved, anchored by two exceptional elements.