It is a production thoroughly worthy of all the talk it has created and the several motion-picture luminaries deserve to feel very proud of their performances, particularly Greta Garbo and Lionel Barrymore.
– Mordaunt Hall,
New York Times,
20 May 2003
rotten:
The Nashville of its day, Grand Hotel's reputation has outgrown its actual quality
– Andrew Nickolds,
Time Out,
24 Jun 2006
rotten:
Less effective as a movie than as a dazzling parade of star iconography.
– Dave Kehr,
Chicago Reader,
12 Dec 2006
fresh:
A commercial picture of high box office potential, first by assembling the most impressive aggregation so far of strictly Bradstreet screen names, and then by filming the play practically unaltered in form.
– Alfred Rushford Greason,
Variety,
29 Jan 2008
fresh:
Each and every performer in the screened "Grand Hotel" does a remarkable piece of work. To us, Garbo is the supreme of magnificence.