AllMovie

Lady of the Night is remembered today (if at all) for being the big breakthrough film that really made Norma Shearer a star. It's a grand vehicle for Shearer, giving her the opportunity to play two different roles, and she grabs hold of this opportunity and runs with it; if she's a little raw in her acting at times, there's still a youthful energy that makes up for this minor deficit. More importantly, Shearer doesn't take the easy way out with Florence, the rich girl; there's more depth here than the part demands, largely due to the manner in which Shearer plays her, as a woman who wants something, even though on the surface life has given her everything she needs. Her Molly is even more impressive, partially due to the writing, but also due to Shearer's immense ambition combined with vulnerability. The actress also looks glorious, lovingly filmed under director Monta Bell's careful guidance and often appearing simply luminous. While not a classic, Lady is still more than just a vehicle for the leading lady. The story is no great shakes, but Bell handles it with sensitivity and a genuine feeling for emotion; these are people who are all filled with an emptiness and a desire, a longing for something, and Bell presents their stories in an affecting and touching manner. If things occasionally become a bit too melodramatic, that's the fault of the story, not the director. On the whole, Lady of the Night is worth catching, especially for fans of the star.