Directed by: Anatole Litvak
Released: 1948
Country: United States
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
I have admired Olivia de Havilland since I watched Gone with the Wind. In the 1940s, she risked her career to fight for her rights. Back then she was under contract to Warner Bros. and the oppressive ''studio system'' required her to comply with every single demand made by the studio that employed her; the studios had the right to suspend the stars who refused to accept the roles they were offered. The period of time they spent in suspension would be added to the contract, extending the period they would have to work for the studio. Olivia de Havilland disliked the films she was offered- mostly period dramas and romantic comedies. In 1943, she sued Warner Bros. and it was a brave act against the studio system. She won the lawsuit and it weakened the control the studios had over the artists they employed.
Freed from the contract system, Olivia de Havilland pursued her career on her own terms and starred in such classics as To Each His Own (for which she won her first Oscar), The Snake Pit (for which she won a Volpi Cup at the Venice Film Festival) and The Heiress (which won her a second Academy Award).
''The Snake Pit'', directed by Anatole Litvak, is a raw and honest portrayal of the difficulties faced by patients in mental institutions. The protagonist, Virginia Stuart (played by de Havilland), falls in love with Robert Cunningham (played by Mark Stevens) and gets married to him. The first few days of the marriage are happy and peaceful but Virginia soon starts behaving abnormally, forgetting important things and losing track of dates. Things eventually get serious and Virginia starts displaying violent behavior. Terribly concerned for her, Robert has her institutionalized. Dr. Kiks (played by Leo Genn) tries to find out the roots of Virginia's illness. He believes Virginia's illness is caused by something that happened in her past. Something really traumatic from her past must have been affecting her present life and he thinks he will be able to bring her out of the maze she is trapped in only if he discovers what exactly casts a sinister shadow over her life.
Virginia encounters many people people on her journey towards recuperation. Some of them are kindly like Dr. Kiks. Some of the doctors she comes across are harsh and their actions have the ability to worsen her condition. Most nurses are kind; some of them are rude. She also becomes friends with some fellow patients. The most moving of the friendships she forms is, in my opinion, the one she forms with Hester (Betsy Blair), a violent patient who has stopped talking. Virginia is not intimidated by Hester and although plagued by troubles herself, she tries her best to make Hester feel better. I found this really touching.
''The Snake Pit'' was way ahead of its time. Mental illness was, in those days, not something you were supposed to discuss. The film defied societal restrictions and presented a deeply moving- and realistic- portrayal of mental illness and mental institutions. The film is brilliantly written and acted. Plotwise it's near perfect and I loved the gradual unfolding of the story. I loved how everything makes sense by the time the film ends.
The Joan Fontaine Centenary Blogathon is being hosted by In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood and The Wonderful World of Cinema. The film that I have reviewed for the blogathon is Jane Eyre.
Directed by: Robert Stevenson
Released: 1943
Country: United States
Genre: Romantic drama, Mystery
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
Charlotte Brontë's ''Jane Eyre'' happens to be my favorite novel of all time. I have loved the novel since I was eleven years old. And I LOVED this adaptation. Starring Orson Welles and Joan Fontaine, it is such an atmospheric, well-acted and well-directed film.
Jane Eyre is an orphan who lives with her aunt, Mrs. Reed, and is treated cruelly by her relatives. Mrs Reed sends Jane to Lowood, a boarding school. Harsh conditions prevail in Lowood. Jane completes her education there, staying there for ten years. She then finds a job as a governess at a mansion called Thornfield Hall. Over the course of time she becomes really attached to Thornfield Hall and her student, Adele, and also starts feeling attracted to Edward Rochester, her moody employer who hides a tender heart beneath his rough exterior. Mr Rochester, however, is hiding dark secrets and Thornfield Hall itself guards secrets and mysteries...
''Jane Eyre'' is such a great film! I loved the Gothic atmosphere prevailing throughout the film! Thornfield Hall was portrayed just the way Bronte had meant it to be: a mysterious, shady manor. Jane and Mr. Rochester were brought to life and fleshed out. Their chemistry is beautifully developed and believable. Joan Fontaine and Orson Welles are excellent in their roles, playing two lost souls with sheer perfection. Margaret O'Brien (playing Adele) also delivers an excellent performance and (surprise!) a young Elizabeth Taylor also appears in this film, playing Jane's childhood friend, Helen.
I loved the screenplay as well. It does take liberties with the source material but I had no problem with it. The changes it makes are tender and well-crafted and I really liked them. It is an adaptation, after all, and these subtle changes are something that, in my opinion, we should welcome in adaptations. There are adaptations in which certain alterations seem odd because they drift too far from the plot- sometimes even ruining the overall story- and I, of course, don't support them. But when it comes to the alterations that this film makes, they are well-balanced and appreciable.
I loved ''Jane Eyre''. I loved the Gothic atmosphere, the chemistry between Jane and Mr. Rochester, the performances by Fontaine and Welles, the beautiful cinematography and the screenplay.
Directed by: Preston Sturges
Released: 1941
Country: United States
Genre: Romantic comedy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
''The Lady Eve'' stars Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck. Stanwyck plays a con artist, Jean Harrington. She works with her father to swindle money from wealthy people in various ways, particularly through tricks in card games. Jean and her father decide to make a wealthy young man- Charles Pike (played by Henry Fonda)- their victim. Charles is an ophidologist who is on his way back to the United States from South America, where he had been researching about snakes. Although she initially aims to trick Charles, Jean finds herself falling in love with him and feels guilty for what her intentions have been. Charles also falls in love with her but once she gets to know about Jean's real identity, he breaks their relationship. Several months later, Jean decides to take revenge on Charles for having ended their relationship and assumes the (fake) identity of the aristocratic Lady Eve to perplex Charles. What will this lead to?
''The Lady Eve'' is a fast-paced, highly entertaining screwball comedy. Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda deliver excellent performances. Memorable supporting characters are played by Charles Coburn (as Jean's father) and William Demarest (who plays Charles' valet). The film is an absolute delight from the beginning to the end. It is very funny- although never goofy (I really like goofy comedies too, though)- and a very intelligent comedy. The romance, too, is well balanced and very sweet. I really enjoyed it.
THE SECOND ANNUAL OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND BLOGATHON+ ERROL FLYNN is being hosted by In The Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood and Phyllis Loves Classic Movies.
It will be taking place from July 1, 2017 to July 3, 2017. On July 1,
2017, the great Olivia de Havilland turned 101 years old. For the
blogathon I will be reviewing ''To Each His Own'', the film that won de
Havilland her first Academy Award.
To Each His Own (1946 film)
Directed by: Mitchell Leisen
Released: 1946
Country: United States
Genre: Drama
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
Olivia
de Havilland delivers a magnificent performance in ''To Each His Own''
as the protagonist, Jody Norris. Jody Norris is a very strong character,
a character with great depth.
During
the World War I, Jody is a cheerful, 17-year-old girl living with her
father. She falls in love with Captain Bart Cosgrove (played by John
Lund). However, Bart has to go to the war. Shortly after his departure,
Jody comes to know that she is pregnant. However, she soon comes to know
that Cosgrove died in the war. Devastated, but still hopeful about her
child's future, Jody gives birth to a boy. However, due to
circumstances, she is forced to give her child up for adoption. As the
child grows up, Jody retains in her heart her great love and deep
affection for him. She deeply cherishes her love for him and longs to be
near him. Her love for her son becomes the main focus of her life, in
spite of the fact that her son doesn't know that she is his mother. Time
flies by: will Jody ever get what she has always longed for?
''To
Each His Own'' is an emotionally overpowering film depicting the
enduring power of a mother's love. The way Jody longs for her son for
years is deeply moving, extremely touching.
Olivia
de Havilland shines in her role as Jody. In 'The Heiress'', the film
that won her a second Oscar, she played a woman whose experiences make
her transform from someone meek and timid to a mature, strong woman. In
''To Each His Own'', too, we see her character go through a lot, we see
her character develop and strengthen. This is definitely an ideal
example of great character development.
The
supporting characters are well-developed too, particularly the
characters played by Ronald Culver, John Lund, Phillip Terry, Mary
Anderson, Bill Goodwin and Victoria Horne. I also loved Jody's father,
played by Griff Barnett. He loves her daughter. He does not get mad at
her when she reveals to him that she is pregnant. Rather, he tells her
that he has never judged her. He supports her through everything. I
loved the character. The scene in which he consoles Jody and tells her
that he has never judged her really moved me.
''To Each His Own'' is a very powerful film, emotionally intense film.
Directed by: George Seaton
Released: 1947
Country: United States
Genre: Comedy-drama, Fantasy
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
''Miracle on 34th Street'' is such a lovely, cute little film! It is a film that is bound to bring a smile to anybody's face.
Doris Walker (played by Maureen O'Hara) is a single mother. She has always taught her daughter, Susan (played by Natalie Wood) to be practical and realistic. As such, Susan does not believe in fairytales. She does not believe in Santa Clause. When an elderly man calling himself Kris Kringle (played by Edmund Gwenn)- hired by the company Doris works for to pose as Santa Clause- claims to be the actual Santa Clause, many people think that he is either lying or he is slightly unstable mentally. While Kris- who moves in with Fred (played by John Payne), a neighbor of Doris'- tries to introduce Susan to fairytales and fantasies (with some help from Fred, who has apparently fallen in love with Doris and also wants to introduce Susan to the colorful world of fantasies and fairytales- several people are skeptical about Kris' identity. What does it eventually lead to?
''Miracle on 34th Street'' is a charming and heartwarming film. It definitely is. I loved it! Kris is so cute! Edmund Gwenn delivers a splendid performance and so do Maureen O'Hara, John Payne and Natalie Wood. Such a lovely film it is!
Directed by: William Wyler
Released: 1949
Country: United States
Genre: Drama
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
William Wyler's ''The Heiress'' is set in the 19th century, in New York. The protagonist, Catherine Sloper, is played by Olivia de Havilland. She is the meek and introverted daughter of the wealthy Dr. Austin Sloper, played by Ralph Richardson. Dr Sloper has never been happy with his daughter, always comparing her to her late mother. He believes that Catherine is neither beautiful nor skilled. Catherine has not met his expectations when it comes to social issues: she does not like attending parties and events, which, Dr Austin thinks, are necessary for a young woman of her class. However, Catherine is very skilled at embroidery, something that her father never praises her for. Dr Sloper has rarely shown affection for Catherine, often criticizing her. Catherine, however, is very timid and has never uttered any word of protest.
One evening, in a party, Catherine meets the handsome Morris Townsend, played by Montgomery Clift. She eventually falls in love with him over the course of several meetings and Morris proposes to marry her. However, Dr Sloper believes that Morris- who has spent his entire inheritance- is only interested in Catherine's money: she has inherited a considerable amount from her late mother and will inherit even more upon her father's death. Catherine does not believe this, but Dr Sloper is firm in his belief. This leads to a series of events that eventually helps Catherine to transform into a very mature person.
I
felt so bad when I saw Dr Sloper criticizing Catherine the way he did.
Dr Sloper might not be an antagonist, but he is often so harsh with
Catherine that it is rather painful to witness it. It is so very sad
when parents cannot accept their children for who they are.
The best thing about ''The Heiress'' is Olivia de Havilland's excellent performance. Catherine's transition from a meek young woman to a mature woman is very convincing. When we first meet her she is very meek, shy and socially awkward. The moments in which she was emotionally hurt are made more painful by the meekness of the character. De Havilland portrays the timidity of the character with perfection. Over the course of the film, certain events help the character transform, and thanks to de Havilland's excellent performance, this is very convincing. It is painful to see the ordeals through which the character has to go through over the course of the film, and I applauded for her when I saw that she had transformed into a mature person.
I love Gothic films, I really do. I instantly became comfortable with the atmosphere of ''The Heiress''. Being someone who deeply longs for the past, I really like such films as ''The Heiress''. The great character development of Catherine Sloper made the film even more lovable to me. It is a very well-written, well-directed and well-acted film (excellent performances by Olivia de Havilland, Montgomery Clift, Ralph Richardson and Miriam Hopkins {Hopkins plays Catherine's aunt}).
Directed by: George Cukor
Released: 1949
Country: United States
Genre: Romantic comedy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
In ''Adam's Rib'', Adam (played by Spencer Tracy) and Amanda (Katherine Hepburn) are a married couple. Both of them are lawyers. Amanda strictly believes that women should have the same opportunity as men in every sector. She thinks that when it comes to law, women often don't get the same verdict that men do. When a case arises in which a woman, Doris Attinger (played by Judy Holliday) shot her husband when she discovered that the latter was having an affair, Adam has been given the task of prosecuting the case. Doris's husband (played by Tom Ewell) was only wounded, but charges have been brought against Doris for attempted murder. Amanda knows that Doris never attempted kill her husband or his lover, that this happened because Doris only wanted to frighten the two of them, and that Doris, having never intended to cause anything dangerous, deserves sympathy from the jury. Amanda decides to defend Doris in this case and she fights against her husband in the courtroom, where a hilarious situation ensues.
The film shifts between pure comedy, romance and at times drama. The relationship between Adam and Amanda is really sweet. (The method which they implement to mock and tease each other while the hearings go on is really hilarious.) There is also a lot of comedy, both in the courtroom and in the house of Adam and Amanda. The case creates a tension in the relationship between Adam and Amanda, but even this is presented very funnily. Judy Holliday makes Doris a rather cute and funny character.
Although ''Adam's Rib'' is a very funny film, it can also be very thought-provoking at times. I really applauded for Amanda because of her strong belief that everybody should be equal in the eyes of law. Women should get the same justice that a man gets. In a particular scene in the film, Amanda asks the court to imagine Doris as a man and her husband as a woman. She knows that the jury would be more sympathetic to a man in such a circumstance and asks the court whether Doris would have been viewed with more sympathy had she been a man. Why should this inequality exists, she wonders. She believes that the time has come for women to be treated the way a man is treated. I completely agreed with her.
I really liked this film. I liked the concept, laughed at the comedy, liked the romance, and found the chemistry between Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy really nice.
Directed by: John Ford
Released: 1940
Country: United States
Genre: Drama
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
''The Grapes of Wrath'' is a thought-provoking and touching film with a lot of emotional depth. It deals with social injustice, rights of people and most importantly, how working class people have struggled over the centuries, overcoming one obstacle after another.
The film's protagonist, Tom Joad, played by Henry Fonda, was in prison for having accidentally killed a man in self-defense. He is released on parole and is traveling to his Oklahoma family farm. However, upon reaching the farm, he comes to know his family- along with other families of the area- was driven away from the farm by deed holders of the lands. Shocked but determined, Tom manages to locate his family. His family is planning on going to California and start all over again, having heard that there is work available in California. On their way to California- and after reaching California- they face obstacles, difficulties and tragedies- including the death of some family members, but still, they cling on to the hope that they will be able to start all over again and find happiness again.
It was overwhelming how the characters retained optimism even after being driven away from the land they lived in for centuries. The characters in this film have hope for the future, they won't let a single blow extinguish all the optimism from their lives. Their lives might have been shattered and torn apart, but they want to do their best to bring the pieces together and rebuild their life all over again. They get their strength, their optimism from their love for each other, from their strong wish to stick together no matter what happens.
There is a scene in which the family is preparing some lunch with whatever they could manage, and although there is hardly enough food for them, they are moved by the sight of hungry children around them and share their food with these children. This scene moved me, it really did. I mean, here are the Joads, having faced cruelty from people, having been driven away from their home with no certainty about the future, but in spite of all these they have retained their humanity and good heart. Overwhelming.
''The Grapes of Wrath'' is excellently-directed, excellently-written and has great performances, particularly from Henry Fonda and Jane Darwell (who plays the family matriarch). I was deeply moved by the film. The central characters face so much difficulties throughout the film but in spite of all these they try to retain their hope for the future. The development of Tom's character is very impressive as well. Over the course of the film he comes to comprehend the injustices faced by the common working class people and gradually, he decides to play a role to bring the injustices to an end.
Directed by: Billy Wilder
Released: 1944
Country: United States
Cast: Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, Porter Hall, Jean Heather
Genre: Film-noir, Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Drama
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
''Double Indemnity'' works in an atmospheric way and it works greatly. Here you have a voluptuous female lead and a male lead influenced by passion: two people it's hard to sympathize with, let alone admire. It is a film noir with a well-crafted screenplay and two powerful performances.
The entire film is shown in a flashback- the male protagonist, Walter Neff, an insurance salesman played by Fred MacMurray- confesses about a murder that he has committed over a Dictaphone, planning to leave the confession for his colleague, Barton Kayes. He recounts how he first met Phyllis Dietrichson, played by Stanwyck. He had gone to visit Phyllis's husband, Tom, about some insurance related matters. However, Tom was not home, and he was welcomed by Phyllis, whose beauty and charm immediately impressed him. Phyllis told him that she wanted to start an accident policy for her husband- if her husband died by an accident, she would receive a sizeable amount of money. However, Neff was disgusted, thinking that Phyllis was trying to kill her husband for money. Phyllis did not deny it, and told Walter how she was being neglected and ignored by Tom, a man many years her senior. Smitten by Phyllis, Walter then decided to help her with the murder of Tom. And they did successfully accomplish the murder. However, back in the insurance office, Kayes was hesitating: he was sure that something was wrong with the case, that there was something fishy, and Kayes had set about to solve the case...
The atmosphere is definitely
tense and thrilling. I loved ''Double Indemnity''. In the second half of the
film, there is plenty of suspense as we start to observe Kayes' ingenious
method of trying to figure the mystery out, as it would mean all the secrets
and plans of Walter and Phyllis to be revealed. I don't know if I ever felt
sympathy for Walter. If I did, I felt it at the very end of the film. As for
Phyllis, oh well, I can't really comment on her character as that would mean
revealing a lot. But nevertheless, here is a character it would be hard for
anybody to forget, partly because of the character development and the climax,
and partly because of Stanwyck's impeccable performance. So far, of the few
Billy Wilder films that I have watched, all of them have managed to win my
heart. This one was no exception.
Directed by: Max Ophüls
Released: 1948
Country: United States
Genre: Romantic-drama
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
Middle-aged pianist Stefan Brand (Louis Jourdan) receives a letter from an ''unknown'' woman: the person who has written the letter is actually Lisa (Joan Fontaine), who used to be his neighbor years ago. When Stefan had moved into the same apartment building as Lisa, the latter had become infatuated with him. Though initially a simple schoolgirl crush, Lisa's feelings for Stefan grew stronger and ultimately, she fell in love with him, listening to him play the piano in the apartment next to hers, sneaking into his apartment in his absence, and learning about music. Stefan, however, did not even know about Lisa, and when he met her, her love remained largely unrequited and she was forgotten. Years and years passed, circumstances changed, but Lisa's love for Stefan never did.
The story sounds pretty simple, but the cinematography, performances, music, and Lisa's extremely beautiful narration makes ''Letter from an Unknown Woman'' a hauntingly beautiful and poetic film. The film deals with a topic that I think has somehow touched us all: unrequited love. I have never seen unrequited love explored as beautifully as it is done in ''Letter from an Unknown Woman''. Joan Fontaine is perfect in her role as Lisa, bringing into life the emotions and sentiments of the character as the character grows up into a young, sensible woman from a teenager and her feelings for the pianist who once used to be her neighbor remains unchanged, unaltered. How often do we ponder about such things? How often do we actually move on after a painful episode of unrequited love? Some manage to move on, while some do move on but still stick to the memories of the moments they had spent with the person who could never love them back. The way Lisa's feelings for Stefan is portrayed looks extremely realistic. Louis Jourdan in his role as Stefan is perfect as well.
I loved the film, I did. It is a beautifully poetic film and I would highly recommend it.
Directed by: John Huston
Released: 1941
Country: United States
Genre: Film noir, Mystery, Drama, Crime
Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet, Elisha Cook, Jr., Lee Patrick
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Short review
Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart) is a detective, who is approached by a certain Miss Wonderly (Mary Astor), who asks him to keep an eye on a certain man, Floyd Thursby. Spade's partner, Miles Archer, follows Thursby, but Miles is mysteriously killed, and, within a short time, Thursby is also killed. Who could have killed them? What was the motive? This incident sparks events that leads Miles to discover that Miss Wonderly is not actually the person who she claims to be, and it further leads him to problems regarding a certain, precious, expensive, historical statuatte of falcon, which is somehow related to the crimes. He comes across Joel Cairo and Kasper Gutman, criminals who desperately want the falcon.
''The Maltese Falcon'' is an excellent, twisted mystery film. Humphrey Bogart's performance is excellent, and Mary Astor is brilliant as well. Sydney Greenstreet is also great in his role as Kasper Gutman. Lee Patrick is similarly brilliant as Spade's loyal secretary. The climax, which takes place in the same room and lasts perhaps for thirty minutes and is full of shocking twists, is really very memorable. The cinematography is beautiful, the screenplay is excellent, the performances are brilliant, ''The Maltese Falcon'' is indeed an excellent film.
4.5 out of 5
Directed by: Michael Curtiz
Released: 1945
Country: United States
Genres: Drama, Film-noir, Mystery, Crime
Cast: Joan Crawford, Jack Carson, Zachary Scott, Eve Arden, Ann Blyth, Bruce Bennett
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
 |
| Mildred, our protagonist |
Mildred Pierce. A heartbreaking, hauntingly sad film. To begin with, it's one of the strongest, one of the most overpowering films I have ever watched. It is, indeed. Joan Crawford's performance is one of the strongest performances I have ever come across. A puzzling beginning leads to a melodramatic, suspenseful, painful film. It is a film that is not be missed, it is a must-watch.
The film opens as the titular character's husband, Monty Baragon, is shot dead. We do not see who shoots him. Our protagonist, Mildred Pierce Baragon (Joan Crawford), is called to the police station, where she is informed that the murder was committed by Bert Pierce, Mildred's ex-husband. Mildred refuses to believe so, and when she is asked why, she begins to tell her story, and through flashbacks, we come to know about her life, about the circumstances preceding this incidence, about everything that ultimately led to this day, this incident.
When Mildred was married to Bert Pierce, she was just an ordinary homemaker, baking cakes and pies, looking after her two daughters, Veda and Kay, doing everything to arrange the best education and upbringing for them. Her husband lost his job, started an extra-marital affair, that destroyed the peace of the family, ultimately leading to their separation. Mildred had no money, but she was determined. She wanted to provide everything for her daughters. She did not want her two daughters to have a working class upbringing. She started working as a waitress, and soon earned enough money that could afford piano lessons for Veda, that could afford expensive ballet lessons for Kay, that could afford a maidservant, that could afford a comfortable peaceful life.
But can things actually remain this simple? Veda (Ann Blythe), Mildred's elder daughter, didn't like the fact that Mildred worked as a waitress. She wanted a much better, a much happier life. A life with no wants, no poverty. Veda was ambitious, she was ungrateful, she was spoiled rotten. She wanted to have a lavish, respected life. She wanted everything. Mildred couldn't please Veda. No matter how she tried, she could not win Veda's affection. But she led her life, she did everything, just for the sake of her children. After Kay suddenly died, Mildred decided to dedicate her life for the comfortable upbringing of Veda. She was determined to do everything for Vera's happiness. She started her own restaurant chain- and soon became a successful and wealthy businesswoman- earning a lot of money, working hard- all for Veda's sake. The sole purpose of her hard work was Veda. The sole purpose of her life was Veda. But Veda could never be satisfied. Never. She never showed any gratitude for anything her mother did for her- she wanted more, she did not remain satisfied with all the things her mother did for her. She did not show any gratitude, nor did she return her mother's life.
Where did Mildred's efforts lead everybody to? How did Mildred's affection, her determination to do everything for her daughter, and Veda's view to life, mess up everybody's life?
''Mildred Pierce'' has a wonderful mixture of emotional drama, heartbreaking moments, mystery, suspense, noir elements. There were times I forgot that this was actually a mystery film; I focused so much on Mildred, her sacrifices, her determination. Mildred is imperfect, she is completely flawed. But she is a mother, after all. The things that she does throughout the film are not unrealistic, because she is a mother. It becomes pathetic, the way she continues to forgive Veda. It is stupid, it is pathetic, but it is not illogical. The way she continues to forgive her daughter is logical yet stupid, because a mother can never get indifferent to her children, no matter how ungrateful, how horrible her children are. I felt pity for her, she is such a pathetic, yet such a strong character. Joan Crawford's performance is definitely unforgettable. Ada (Eve Arden), a confidant of Mildred, says,"Personally, Veda's convinced me that alligators have the right idea. They eat their young." In this case, I think, it's definitely logical. I was shocked at Veda's behavior. How can somebody possibly be so ungrateful, so horrible? How can somebody be so nasty? How can somebody be so indifferent to all the things her mother did for her? She is evil, and Ann Blythe does give a brilliant, extremely praiseworthy performance.
Suspense is aplenty, as we keep on waiting eagerly to discover what actually led to the event at the beginning of the film. With excellent noir elements and suspense, it works as a wonderful mystery film mixed with melodrama, great emotional depth, tragedy.
I loved this film, I really did. It is a film with an excellent depth, filled with melodramatic and suspenseful elements. It has got strong performances. The characters are all flawed but have excellent depth. It is heartbreaking, tragic, suspenseful film, an unforgettable gem of a film.
5 out of 5
Directed by: George Cukor
Released: 1944
Country: United States
Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Drama
Cast: Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer, Joseph Cotten, Dame May Whitty, Angela Lansbury, Barbara Everest
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
George Cukor's ''Gaslight'' has a great atmosphere; there is suspense, there are puzzles, and most mentionably, there is the wonderful performance by Ingrid Bergman. ''Gaslight'' isn't one of the best mystery films I have seen, but it is a wonderful film, a wonderful, atmospheric film, an entertaining film that I'd highly recommend.
After the mysterious murder of her aunt in her residence at Thornton Square, young Paula (Ingrid Bergman) is sent to a man who will teach her opera music. Years pass, Paula has now grown up, and her teacher starts noticing that she is not paying much attention to music. He correctly guesses that Paula is in love. She is in love with Gregor Anton (Charles Boyer), and they plan to get married. Gregor desires to live in one of the ''squares in London'' after their marriage, and Paula then tells him that they can live in such a square, as her aunt had left her a house in the square. Paula never returned to that house after her aunt's death, being afraid of the memories in that house. Anyway, after their marriage, they move to the house, and Gregor persuades her to move all her aunt's furniture to the attic, so that they can live in the present, not in the past. The first few days of their marriage seem to be perfectly happy, but then... Gregor tells Paula that she has started getting ''forgetful'' and ''absent-minded'', that she has started losing small things, and that she has started forgetting facts. With the passage of time, these things get more intense, and Paula starts worrying about herself. Gregor, on the other hand, doesn't let anybody meet Paula, he doesn't let anybody to visit them, and he doesn't want to attend any invitations or parties, and it seems like he is keeping Paula a prisoner. At night, Paula can hear strange footsteps, and the gaslights turn off, and she starts wondering if she is okay, if this house is okay; she starts fearing about the house, she starts fearing herself. What is going on?
There are several other characters as well. There is Brian Cameron (Joseph Cotten), a man who gets interested in the mystery of the murder of Paula's aunt, and ultimately succeeds in solving the mystery. There is Nancy (Angela Lansbury), the maidservant, a somewhat strange girl; Paula thinks that Nancy despises her, that she looks at her with very strange eyes. And there is the unforgettable Bessie Thwaites (Dame May Whitty), a neighbor, a warm woman who is extremely interested in the mysterious house where the murder had taken place so many years ago, and would like to get more acquainted with Paula.
Ingrid Bergman's performance is strong and powerful; she certainly deserved the Oscar that she won for her performance in this film. Throughout the film, her performance remains excellent: she plays a young, innocent woman deeply in love, then a woman worried about herself, worried that she is probably going mad, worried about everything going on around herself. Ingrid Bergman brings to life the pains, the sufferings, the confusions and miseries that her character is going through. Charles Boyer, as the dominating, mysterious, detestable husband gives a powerful performance as well. I really liked Joseph Cotten and I appreciated his character for the steps that he takes to solve the mystery, his firm determination and courage.
With ''Gaslight'', I have seen several films starring Dame May Whitty, and I have to say that I have taken a particular liking to this sweet, wonderful actress. She is absolutely amazing! She remains unforgettable playing such characters as the kindly-old-woman-who-has-disapperead in ''The Lady Vanishes'' and the proud aristocrat in ''Mrs Miniver'', and in ''Gaslight'', she plays the curious neighbor. Her character, Bessie, has always been interested in the house where the murder had taken place years ago, and she adds a certain amount of comic relief and warmth to the overall suspenseful and atmospheric film. She loves flower and wishes her dear daffodils and other flowers a good morning whenever she sees them. It was such an amusing, warm character!
I loved the cinematography, and the overall atmosphere that prevailed throughout the film. Overall, it wasn't a great mystery film, and I agree that it was not entirely unpredictable, yet the atmosphere, the suspense, the performances, and the way it is presented make it a wonderful, entertaining, memorable film!
4 out of 5
Directed by: William Wyler
Released: 1946
Country: United States
Cast: Myrna Loy, Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, Harold Russell, Virginia Mayo, Cathy O'Donnell
Genre: War drama, Romance
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
''The Best Years of Our Lives'' is a beautiful, amazing film! It's a post-World War II story about three men who have returned from war, and find many things changed in their lives. It deals with the emotional journey of these three men, their moments of joys, sorrows, disappointments, difficulties to deal with the changes.
The three men are Fred Drerry (Dana Andrews), a young man who had been married for less than a month when he had to enlist, Al Stephenson (Frederic March), a successful banker with a happy little family, and Homer (Harold Russell), who had lost his hands in the war and now has to use hooks for hands.
After returning home, Fred discovers that his wife, Marie (Virginia Mayo), took a job at a nightclub while he was away. Fred persuades Marie to quit her job. However, their relationship soon start to deteriorate as Fred can earn much less than the amount he used to earn before his war. On the other, Al finds that his children, though still as loving and caring as they were before, have grown up. They have changed much, and many of their habits have changed. Homer is given a very warm welcome at his house, but he is heartbroken to find that everybody treats him in a very caring way because he has lost his hands...
Fred and his wife's relation start to deteriorate, and Fred falls in love with Peggy (Teresa Wright), Al's daughter. This gives rise to a difficult situation. Peggy also loves Fred, and can sense that his marriage is difficult, but her parents don't quite approve of Peggy's feelings for Fred...
The film tells the story of these three characters; it's the story of their life after they return from the war. It's sometimes sad and sometimes uplifting; sometimes it's depressing, and sometimes it's very feel-good.
This is a film where you love the characters. I really liked the characters, especially Fred, Homer, Peggy, Milly, and Al. The performances were splendid, and I especially found Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, Myrna Loy and Harold Russell very remarkable. Teresa Wright as Peggy is perfectly adorable. Harold Russell won two Academy Awards for his role as Homer: one for Best Supporting Actor and an Honorary Oscar.
The screenplay is excellent, the cinematography is noteworthy, the story is wonderful, the cast and characters were wonderful, and overall, it's a wonderful film, an emotional, really touching film.
5 out of 5
Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
Released: 1942
Country: United States
Genre: Thriller, Action
Cast: Robert Cummings, Priscilla Lane, Otto Kruger, Norman Lloyd, Vaughan Glaser
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Review
''Saboteur'' is the story of Barry Kane (played by Robert Cummings), who works in an airplane factory. One day, Barry and his friend, Ken, meet a fellow worker, Frank Fry, whom they never met before. Shortly afterwards, a fire starts in the factory, and Fry hands Barry a fire extinguisher, which Barry hands to Ken. Ken, however, meets a tragic death in the fire.
It is later discovered that the fire extinguisher was filled with gasoline, and Barry is blamed for this; it is said that he is linked with the death of Ken. Barry decides to prove his innocence, and find Frank Fry, who had handed him the extinguisher and has disappeared. Apparently, there was never a man named Fry employed in the factory, which puzzles Barry, and he decides to find Fry and prove his (Barry's) innocence.
This takes him on a dangerous, thrilling journey...
I absolutely loved the first half of the film. It was so energetic, so lively, so thrilling! The first half was thoroughly entertaining! I really loved the chemistry of Barry and the heroine of the film, Pat (Priscilla Lane). The adventures that Barry and Pat share were extremely exciting and entertaining! And in this first half Barry meets several memorable characters, who, despite their short screen presence, remain memorable, such as a blind man (Pat's uncle), and some circus performers.
The second half of the film loses some of the fast pace and excitement of the first half. I mean, I still enjoyed the film; however, not as much as I had enjoyed the first half. The second half was thrilling as well, and with a lot of important points, but it did not have the energy of the first half. And also, there is not much presence of Robert Cummings and Priscilla Lane together in the second half, so I thought the film lost much of it's charms in the second half. Yet, I still liked the second half because it was quite thrilling and the film had a good climax and ending.
Overall, while I absolutely loved the first half and the chemistry of Cummings and Lane, I just liked the second half. It was extremely energetic, lively and entertaining at the first half, but the second half was just enjoyable and likeable.
3.5 out of 5
Directed by: Anatole Litvak
