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Fresh and Exciting

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

I guess, you are either a fan of these kind of love stories by writer Hedwig Courths-Mahler or they mean absolutely nothing to you. They are always knitted according to the same scheme, which can be summed up in the phrase "Poor but adorable beauty with stainless character loves earl, duke or baron (and vice versa) and get's him in the end after some confusion or misunderstanding. A happy-end is compulsory."The same applies to this film which proceeds closely according to the book after which it was made. The voice of a narrator is heard now and then in the film reciting from the book word by word, that you can even read in it as you follow the film.This film is not only a love story it also has crime elements in it, because it begins with the earl returning home from court where he has been accused of having poisoned his quarrelsome wife, but could not be convicted for want of evidence. Therefore many friends turn away from him, but the beautiful blonde girl - employed as a tutor for the earl's daughter - fell in love with him already by seeing his photograph and hearing about his fate. She yearns to help him and succeeds finally in playing Sherlock Holmes. A happy marriage is the inevitable ending of the film. By they way: It is also easy enough and soon revealed, "whodunnit".The film and story play in the beginning of the 20th century. It even has a style of late Victorianism in it - however, it plays in Germany.As I said: for those, who love these films, a heartwarming, sweet and pleasant pastime. As I read quite a few of the writer's books, I would even say, one of her best and a successful film implementation too.My last hint: Don't forget your handkerchiefs.

This film is just as corny as the novel it is based on. It is clearly aimed at women who like warm-hearted heroines from poor backgrounds ending up with a dashing prince charming (Griseldis settles for a mere count, though) after having to go through a few unnerving moments. Not to put a too fine point upon it: this is sickeningly corny. However, it is very well made within the limits of the genre; it achieves what it is trying to achieve.