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How others will see it. An ingratiating and often amusing film from near the end of Garbo's career. She's in fine form, and the script, co-written by Billy Wilder, is frequently clever. Problems with character development will be ignored by most film fans, who will be won over by Ninotchka's romantic charm.
How I felt about it. The story doesn't really work, you know. Let's see, the Soviets send three agents to France to peddle the jewels, none of whom knows anything about jewelry, law, or bargaining, or has any political connections in France. A valet at their hotel happens to overhear their conversation, and happens to know the Grand Ducchess (Claire), and happens to know that the jewels belong to her. She notifies her lawyer (Douglas), who, by astonishing coincidence, accidentally befriends Ninotchka, who has arrived in France to resolve the matter of the jewels.
Ninotchka begins her career in France as Mr. Spock with a better tailor and hairstylist. It's not long, though, before she's guzzling champagne and making ugly scenes in public. Which, apparently, makes the Grand Duchess so jealous that she is eager to give up the costly jewels to chase a man who no longer has any interest in her.
So, the story and the characters have their problems. It must be admitted, though, that the film has its charms. The hapless Russian envoys are entertaining comic figures, and Garbo shows a comic touch as well, such as when she pretends the pop of a champagne cork is a bullet from a firing squad.
But would she really laugh at Douglas for falling on his French derreire? Or would she be more likely to lecture him on the necessity of maintaining one's proper balance? I suggest the latter, but it must be said, a one-way romance provides a stalker and not a love story.
Did I miss something, or did Ninotchka climb a thousand stairs to arrive at the top of the Eiffel tower before Douglas, who took the elevator? Perhaps she has a booster rocket in her platform shoes.
Look for Bela Lugosi in a small supporting role as a Soviet taskmaster. The horror film celebrity is barely recognizable.