Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Great Film overall

Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

An alcoholic lawyer who successfully defended a notorious gambler on a murder charge objects when his free-spirited daughter becomes romantically involved with him.Clark Gable made such an impression in the role of a gangster who pushes Norma Shearer around that he was catapulted from supporting player to leading man, a position he held for the rest of his career. That is really the only redeeming thing about this film, seeing Gable in an early role really busting out.Not that the film is a bad one, but there's a good reason you never hear anyone talking about "A Free Soul". It's not a classic, and it doesn't need to be rediscovered.

There is a Lot of Talk in this Early Pre-Code Talkie, but most of it is Interesting Enough to make this a Good Watch and the Star Power is there to Ogle as Well. Clark Gable does Scorch the Screen with His Dynamo of a Gangster, Norma Shear is Elegant as a Trashy Upper Crust who Likes Slumming and Slumbering with Her Macho-Man, and Lionel Barrymore is Bursting at the Seams for a Drink and More Scene Stealing."The only time I hate Democracy is when you Mongrels don't know your place. A little dirty money and a clean shirt and you cross the railroad tracks." This Famous Quote comes when Gangster Gable tells Stuffy Barrymore that He wants to Marry HIs Daughter. Leslie Howard is also on Hand to Complete the Triangle and makes the Most of a Few Important Encounters with His Rival.There is Much Pre-Code Inclusion of Alcoholism that is Unfettered and Gut-Wrenching. Some Physical Female Abuse and Premarital Sex Laid Bare are Here along with some Slinky See-Through Dresses. The Courtroom Scene at the End is Famous for its One Long Take (holds the record), but is Pure Fiction and its Motivation Severely Dated.

For years Norma Shearer had portrayed "sweet young things" in films such as "Their Own Desire" (1929) - until she rebelled. "The Divorcée" was one of the most sought after roles - everyone wanted to play Jerry but Norma pulled rank (she was married to Irving Thalberg) and not only surprised her critics but won a Best Actress Academy Award!!!. "A Free Soul" was based on a magazine serial Adela Rogers St. John wrote about her attorney father and it was a film with intense performances. Both Lionel Barrymore and Norma Shearer won Academy Award nominations with Barrymore winning because of his shattering performance as an alcoholic lawyer. Gable's performance as an aggressive but sexually exciting gangster was electrifying. The film was extremely popular because, it was said, the female audiences wanted to see Gable push Shearer around (although I, also, saw no slap). Fans could see Gable at his most brutish in "Night Nurse", made the same year, where he actually knocks Barbara Stanwyck out cold.Jan (Norma Shearer) is the beloved daughter of alcoholic attorney, Stephen Ashe (Lionel Barrymore). Because of his drinking and his unreliability his clients represent the dregs of society and he is oblivious to Jan's exposure to the seedier side of life. Jan has also an addiction - to living life as she wants, with no restrictions - a free soul. When accompanying her father to court she meets Ace Wilfong (Clark Gable) a notorious gangster and there is an instant sexual attraction between them. That night, after celebrations, Ace drops Stephen off at his home but when Jan sees how Ace's presence and Stephen's inebriation get the cold shoulder from other guests, she leaves with Ace in disgust. Once they leave, they are involved in a drive by shooting and Jan is exhilarated by the danger and excitement. They begin an affair and Ace wants to marry her. Stephen sobers up enough to tell him that he is from the gutter and will never be good enough for Jan. That night Stephen gets drunk and is bought to Ace's suite. There he encounters Jan and both of them reach a pact - he to keep on the wagon if she will stop seeing Ace. They go to a mountain retreat but Stephen can't stay sober and Jan, disillusioned goes back to Ace. But Ace has changed and reveals his true nature by his brutish behaviour of her. He is more than ever determined to marry her and "show her who's boss" but Jan flees to her apartment and he follows for the showdown.Jan goes looking for her father to defend Dwight (Leslie Howard)(he has gone to Ace's suite and killed him) and she finds him in a seedy doss house. Lionel Barrymore turns in a magnificent performance as the alcoholic Stephen, who is riveting in his final court room appearance. Barrymore more than deserved his Academy Award.Today Gable comes across as sympathetic in his genuine love for Jan. His down to earth portrayal is out of place in a sea of high society brittleness.Highly, Highly Recommended.

Norma Shearer slinks and giggles her way through another melodrama, this one noted for not only her but the presence of Lionel Barrymore, Clark Gable and Leslie Howard. Not a bad cast, eh?The story has a lot to it, too - too much to go into here. It's basically a father-daughter story with the daughter having a good guy and a bad guy both after her, and her taking in all the attention she can get. I've only seen two Norma Shearer films but she played a similar character in both. She's likes to giggle, show off her body and flirt but doesn't want commitments. (The Divorcée was the other film in which I saw her.) For much of this film, this is a gender-reversal with the woman being the "heel."Barrymore plays her dad, an alcoholic defense attorney. If, for nothing else in this movie, he's remembered for his impassioned speech at the end of the trial. It WILL get your attention! Clark Gable plays the toughie and Howard plays the suave nice-guy both vying for Shearer's love.There is truth to a number of things in this film such as "Jan Ashe" (Shearer) finding the not-so-nice guy more "exciting" over a genuine gentleman. Why many women are like that - preferring the grubby-looking thug - who knows, but Shearer is good at playing that role. Shearer's Harlow-like attire and no-bra look got my (and Gable's) attention, too.The movie should be enjoyed by most who like this kind of a melodrama and/or appreciate good acting and a bit of star-gazing.