Philadelphia Story, The (1940)
“You have everything it takes to make a lovely woman except the one essential: an understanding heart. And without that, you might just as well be made of bronze.”
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Response to Peary’s Review: Peary further writes that “two other problems are that Grant is too passive a character and that Hussey really gets mistreated by Stewart without telling him off” — but he notes that “despite all, this is a scintillating comedy, because the acting by the wonderful cast transcends the material”. In addition, “as directed by George Cukor, the comic dialogues have a marvelous rhythm… The characters could be speaking Japanese, but so snappy are their comebacks and so sly are their expressions that we’d laugh anyway”. I’m in full agreement with Peary’s overall assessment: it’s the stellar performances and witty dialogue that ultimately “sell” me on The Philadelphia Story, which I’ll admit to finding a tad too romantically convoluted for my tastes (though at least we’re kept in genuine suspense until the very end about who will end up with whom, and why). However, while not a personal favorite, this classic “comedy of remarriage” — remade with Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby in 1956 as the musical High Society — is most definitely must-see viewing for all film fanatics at least once. Redeeming Qualities and Moments:
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Posted on March 22nd, 2013 by admin
Filed under: Response Reviews
One Response to “Philadelphia Story, The (1940)”
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Not a must – possibly one of the most overrated films that remains on countless ‘Best’ lists.
I tried rewatching this – and was reminded that I have never liked this film. ~and I realize that feeling flies in the face of the (apparently) thousands who love it.
I also realize that the original play sets out to settle a score with its protagonist and, I guess, reveal that incredibly snobbish, upper-class ninnies can be real people if given half a chance.
I just don’t find any of it funny or entertaining, in spite of its bid for being sparkling and sophisticated.
It’s a shame that the three cast members worth watching – Ruth Hussey, Roland Young and John Halliday – remain on the periphery of the story and are given too little to do. Were that not the case, I think there might be a more interesting film here.