In this 1937 romantic drama, a neglected wife leads a dangerous double life
In short: Maria, Lady Barker, is married to a busy diplomat who constantly overlooks her. Seeking excitement, she visits a high-class Parisian salon and begins a secret affair with a charming stranger. The situation spirals when her husband unknowingly befriends her lover, setting the stage for a tense, sophisticated game of deception.
Directed by Ernst Lubitsch and released in 1937, Angel is a romantic drama produced by Paramount Pictures. The film stars Marlene Dietrich as Maria, a woman who feels neglected by her husband, Sir Frederick Barker, a high-level British diplomat. Seeking an escape, Maria visits the salon of her friend, the Russian Grand Duchess Anna Dmitrievna, where she meets Anthony Halton. The two share a brief, anonymous tryst, with Halton naming her Angel. The plot thickens when Halton later encounters Frederick, unaware of his connection to Maria, and confides in him about his obsession with the mysterious woman.
The narrative tension builds as Maria attempts to maintain her secret while navigating her husband's growing suspicions. Lubitsch, known for his signature touch, crafts a story that balances comedy with deeper, pain-seared themes. While some contemporary critics, such as Frank Nugent of The New York Times, felt the film lacked the director's usual spark, later assessments have been more favorable. In 2017, Richard Brody of The New Yorker described the work as a game of cruel destiny, noting how Lubitsch contrasted Frederick’s gravity with Halton’s frivolity to explore the idea that, in his cinematic world, all politics is sexual.
The film culminates in a confrontation at the Grand Duchess’s salon, where Frederick finally realizes the truth about his wife's double life. Rather than resulting in a permanent rift, the experience forces Frederick to re-evaluate their marriage. He acknowledges his past neglect and chooses to prioritize their relationship, ultimately walking away with Maria to catch a train to Vienna. Despite its initial mixed reception, the film holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on five reviews, cementing its status as an intriguing, if complex, entry in the Lubitsch filmography.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Angel (1937 film)
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