Sorry, this movie sucks

good back-story, and good acting

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

The first must-see film of the year.

Two 1929 Garbo features from the same source, in both of which she is supported by Nils Asther, are Wild Orchids and The Single Standard. The first is the better movie and the better print, but both have their magical moments. It's difficult to make an engrossing plot with only three characters, but Willis Goldbeck and company have succeeded where many another scenarist has failed, even though only two of his people (splendidly enacted here by Greta Garbo and Lewis Stone) are what purists would call "rounded characters." The third is straight from stock, but Nils Asther gives his spoiled-rotten Javanese price unexpected depth by playing the villainous seducer with a genuine smile, a heartfelt shrug. One has the impression that he doesn't really care whether he seduces Garbo or not. It's just a game. The movie is stylishly directed by Sidney Franklin who takes full advantage of the many wonderful sets, and beautifully photographed by William Daniels who is pleasingly no slave to consistency. If he wants to vary his lighting in the same set-up from shimmering on Miss Garbo to black-as-pitch on Mr Asther, he does so!

Well, this is an early Garbo, so of course its historically significant. IMDb shows this as "Lanaguage = English"... although, honestly, its a SILENT, with some sound effects and a pre-recorded song added here and there They add in a track of the crowd yelling and waving goodbye as the cruise ship pulls away from the dock. and in several places, they show the actors speaking lines, but we are never shown the cards for what the actor has just said. Was it edited for length, or something?? Garbo, Lewis Stone, and Nils Asther star in a silly little plot where the Prince tries to seduce the wife of his guest. If you do the math, Lewis Stone was 25 years older than Garbo, so the age difference probably explains why, in the story, the Prince is seen as extra attractive, in spite of his cruelty, which Lillie (Garbo) witnessed. Directed by Sidney Franklin, who had a long, prolific career directing and producing. It's important to see Garbo, and Lewis Stone made some great films as well (Grand Hotel !) Catch it on Turner Classics now and then. It's pretty good.

Greta Garbo is great as the neglected wife while Lewis Stone portrays his part of husband too busy with his work to realize he is neglecting his wife. Nils Aster portrays a Javanese Prince who clearly has self control issues. He not only beats his servants but even attempts to seduce Greta Garbo when he realizes she is being neglected by her husband. His repugnant behavior towards her border on attempted rape. The Synchronized Score is pleasing. I especially like the theme song "You Are Like Wild Orchids" which is played and sung several times. The native Javanese song and dance sections however are quite strange and features unpleasant discordant melodies. The removal of that sequence from the film would have improved the picture tremendously.

Although there is a fine background score and many sound effects throughout, neither GRETA GARBO, LEWIS STONE nor NILS ASTHER speak a word of dialog in this MGM film directed by Sidney Franklin during the dawn of sound films.With the use of the usual title cards for the spoken words and some excellent emoting from the three stars, the viewer becomes absorbed in what is essentially a handsomely produced love triangle set aboard a cruise ship heading for Java. Even as early as 1929, MGM's glossy production values are evident.Garbo is the restless wife of the middle-aged Lewis Stone when she first sets eyes on princely Nils Esther aboard ship, fascinated as she watches him brutally whip a slave. When fascination turns to disgust, she rebuffs his advances when he has an opportunity in Java to be alone with her while her husband goes on a hunting trip. Predictably, she is soon under his spell and that's when the plot begins to turn.Stone is adept at portraying the husband's emotions when he believes his wife unfaithful and Nils Asther is so perfectly cast that I wish he'd made more American films in the future rather than return to his native Sweden. As for Garbo, she has never looked more beautiful nor more youthful before her features matured.Although the plot is a simple one, there's enough interest in the trio to assure attention until the final shot.