The film opens with a depiction of life at the Grand Hotel as remarkably uneventful—or seemingly so. It's presented like an image of effortless grace concealing frantic effort underneath, a collection of genuinely rich people alongside those who aspire to be, or merely appear to be, wealthy, plus a few individuals displaying unpleasantness. Among them is Kringelein (Lionel Barrymore), a kindly older man recently informed that he’s dying. He resolves to use his remaining time and resources to indulge in luxuries like caviar and champagne, hoping to surround himself with refined company. Instead, he encounters Preysing (Wallace Beery), who's involved in shady dealings with investors; the Baron (John Barrymore), a charming but penniless man initially interested only in dancer Grusinskaya’s (Greta Garbo) pearls before developing genuine feelings; and Flaemmchen (Joan Crawford), an overlooked secretary harboring affection for the Baron. Rounding out the cast is Dr. Otterschneig (Lewis Stone), who seems perpetually intoxicated. With the maître d' anticipating a baby, cleaning staff confused about their duties, and high-stakes card games underway, it’s a whirlwind of activity and emotions that explains why Miss Garbo desires solitude. Director Edmund Goulding manages to keep all these elements in motion as the actors create believable interactions across nearly two hours of understated drama. The question remains: will anyone find satisfaction during their time at this lavish Berlin hotel? Beyond the strong connection between the Barrymore brothers, Garbo delivers a wonderfully theatrical performance and Stone’s final scene beside that revolving door left me wondering if it was all about to repeat itself, just with new faces. It's hard to imagine who could possibly match this group. The film is consistently elegant and sophisticated, telling an intricately constructed story that occasionally reveals the less admirable aspects of human nature, making it a worthwhile two-hour investment.

Source on TMDB