Watch The Talk of the Town For Free

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

"The Talk of the Town" has a unique plot and very interesting story. The comedy in this very clever movie isn't in the usual forms of witty dialog or antics. The situations play to some extent. But much of the film is sophisticated comedy. The type that is placed on a high plain of discussion. The cast is superb. The principals in that are Cary Grand as Leopold Dilg and Ronald Colman as Professor Michaela Lightcap, with an occasional inclusion of Edgar Buchanan as Sam Yates. Most of the rest of the comedy is situational and provided by Jean Arthur as Nora Shelley. She, naturally, would be the source of romance in a triangle. To know much of the plot of this film will reduce its enjoyment, so I'll skip any further details. But the discussion of justice and the court system at times is philosophic and insightful, and at other times, seemingly far-fetched. With that, the film has almost a preachy aspect about it – trumpeting freedom and the American way for patriotism. This is another film that has an interesting and humorous courtroom scene. Here's a sample of humorous lines in the film. Lghtcap, "Miss Shelly, judging from the past 12 hours, how quiet do you think it could be in this house, with you in it?"Not everyone will enjoy this movie. It's not one to sit down to watch lazily. It takes some thought. But the interesting dialog between Dilg and Lightcap is offset by the actions of Shelley. This is among Jean Arthur's best performances, in my book.

not great but nice. not special but seductive for a smart story, use of humor and romanticism, fake tension and Cary Grant. interesting for Rex Ingram and for the nuances of role exploited by Ronald Colman. a film with large ambitions who remains only another comedy about heroes and love. nothing new but amusing for the small scenes who seems be ambiguous or for the classic end, for the unrealistic events and for the good intentions. nothing memorable but useful for remind the flavor of lost period. that is all. a film with ordinary mistakes and drops of glamor. is it enough ? yes, in this case. because not the artistic virtue is the most important thing but the smell of a fragment from a golden age.

Accused arsonist Cary Grant escapes from jail and hides out at the home of childhood friend Jean Arthur. The situation is further complicated when the man who was supposed to rent her house, law professor Ronald Colman, arrives earlier than expected. The two men debate law and grow to respect each other while both falling for Arthur. But Colman has no clue who Grant really is and, when he finds out, conflict arises between them.I have a love/hate relationship with The Talk of the Town. Most of it stems from the fact that all throughout the movie I found myself liking Ronald Colman's character the most. Yet the movie would have me be more sympathetic to Cary Grant. I understand the reasoning put forth for why I should root for Grant. He was innocent of the crime of which he was accused, after all, and Colman is somewhat stuffy and rigid in his beliefs. Intellectually, I understand. But emotionally my sympathies lie with Colman's kind and gentle Professor Lightcap, not Grant's arrogant and sometimes brutish Leopold Dilg. Innocent he may be, nice he is not. So it was a sticking point for me and has continued to be so after multiple viewings over the years. I blame the script for not making Dilg more sympathetic beyond simply being innocent of the crime. The fact that he readily assaults people, including Lightcap, made me like him even less. Colman's wonderful performance earned my allegiance. I also disliked Jean Arthur's character more as the movie went along. It seemed like they were set on her ending up with Dilg at the end so in the second half they began to sabotage her relationship with Lightcap, giving her a few bitchy scenes that were out of character with the way she was presented in the first half. So Lightcap doesn't even get the girl in the end. Dilg does and, frankly, all I kept thinking was what a miserable life they will have together. This guy has a huge chip on his shoulder and the likelihood he will wind up being behind bars again, maybe for something he actually did next time, is pretty strong. Maybe I'm thinking about it too much in the wrong way. I don't know really but I was dissatisfied with elements of the film so I can't rate it higher.The three stars are all fine although, like I said, Colman was the best. Most of the comedy falls on Jean Arthur's shoulders. The other two get some funny bits, particularly Colman, but Jean does most of the wacky stuff and that's almost all in the first half. The supporting cast is good, including Edgar Buchanan and Rex Ingram. Glenda Farrell almost steals the picture with just a couple of scenes. Lloyd Bridges has an early role as a reporter. I wish it had lived up to its potential, given the three legends as the leads. Still, despite my issues with the film, it really is a good dramedy. It's well directed and acted with a script full of nice dialogue. Fans of the stars will undoubtedly like it, if not love it.

An uneasy mixture of comedy and drama. Jean Arthur is mixed up in a love triangle with an escaped convict (Cary Grant, totally miscast) and a law professor about to be appointed to the Supreme Court (Ronald Colman, too British to be this character). Grant has been accused (and actually convicted) of burning down a factory and killing a man. He claims he's innocent, despite being a famous rabble-rouser. Arthur, who is working as a secretary for Coleman, hides Grant in her cabin and slowly tries to convince Colman to help with the injustice of the situation. It's a very awkwardly plotted film, and the attempts at comedy fall flat. I never really believed Grant as a rabble-rouser, and he just can't seem to handle the dramatic angle of the picture at all. Colman is pretty much the opposite. The film basically leaves him out of the comedy. Neither of the actors' romantic intentions come off as believable. Well, I guess they are believable in that anyone would want Jean Arthur, but it just doesn't fit in with the social issues angle. Pretty much nothing about it works besides Arthur. In my mind she can do no wrong. It isn't an especially bothersome picture to watch, really, even with all its problems, but it's far from good.