{"id":29108,"date":"2013-03-01T11:56:38","date_gmt":"2013-03-01T18:56:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=29108"},"modified":"2020-12-31T12:30:46","modified_gmt":"2020-12-31T19:30:46","slug":"heiress-the-1949","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=29108","title":{"rendered":"Heiress, The (1949)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Only I know what I lost when she died &#8212; and what I got in her place.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Poster-198x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"198\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-29113\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Poster-198x300.jpg 198w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Poster-84x128.jpg 84w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Poster.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 198px) 100vw, 198px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nThe socially awkward daughter (Olivia de Havilland) of a wealthy doctor (Ralph Richardson) falls in love with a handsome suitor (Montgomery Clift) who may or may not have mercenary intentions.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Father and Child<\/li>\n<li>Heiresses<\/li>\n<li>Historical Drama<\/li>\n<li>Miriam Hopkins Films<\/li>\n<li>Montgomery Clift Films<\/li>\n<li>Olivia de Havilland Films<\/li>\n<li>Ralph Richardson Films<\/li>\n<li>Revenge<\/li>\n<li>Spinsters<\/li>\n<li>William Wyler Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nOlivia de Havilland won a much-deserved Oscar for her nuanced performance in the title role of this surprisingly bleak historical drama, directed by William Wyler and based upon <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Heiress_%28play%29\">a play<\/a> derived from Henry James&#8217; novel <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Washington_Square_%28novel%29\"><em>Washington Square<\/em> (1880)<\/a>. Although he doesn&#8217;t review the film in his <em>GFTFF<\/em>, Peary discusses de Havilland&#8217;s performance at length in his <em>Alternate Oscars<\/em>, where he agrees with the Academy in naming her Best Actress of the Year. He begins his assessment by stating that &#8220;even without makeup and wearing an unflattering coiffure, de Havilland is too pretty to play a woman who has <em>never<\/em> been courted&#8221; &#8212; so &#8220;she has the unfortunate task of presenting someone whose manner, lack of talent, and lack of personality make her such a bad catch that men avoid her despite her decent looks, $10,000-a-year inheritance from her mother, and the promise of great wealth when her father dies&#8221; &#8212; a &#8220;task&#8221; de Havilland achieves with complete conviction. <\/p>\n<p>Peary further notes that &#8220;it&#8217;s obvious&#8230; [Catherine] has been deprived of love and affection her whole life by her father and other men&#8221;; when watching how she &#8220;endures her father&#8217;s subtle insults&#8221;, we can tell that &#8220;she has been his target for so long that she accepts them as part of the daily routine&#8221;. Indeed, seeing poor Catherine endure so much &#8212; and then watching her taken in by Clift&#8217;s charms, with only heartache of one kind or another sure to follow &#8212; is more than many viewers may want to subject themselves to. But de Havilland&#8217;s performance is so achingly vulnerable &#8212; and the screenplay (by Ruth and Augustus Goetz) so finely crafted &#8212; that we can&#8217;t help watching in morbid anticipation to see how Catherine will proceed. Ultimately, <em>The Heiress<\/em> becomes a tale of sad revenge, as Catherine suddenly realizes she has endured a lifetime of unwarranted mistreatment from her emotionally abusive father, and must tap into an inner strength she&#8217;s only beginning to realize she possesses. <\/p>\n<p>While de Havilland&#8217;s performance is universally acknowledged as masterful, opinions differ widely on how successful (or not) Clift is as Catherine&#8217;s ambiguously-motivated suitor; personally, I find him nicely cast, with oodles of requisite charm and good looks, and fully believable as a closet cad. Meanwhile, Richardson gives a chilling performance as Catherine&#8217;s father (the things he says!), and Miriam Hopkins is convincing in a supporting role as Catherine&#8217;s over-eager Aunt Lavinia. Adding to the film&#8217;s power and authenticity are fine attention to period detail, skilled direction by Wyler, and a noteworthy score by the inimitable Aaron Copland. Film fanatics shouldn&#8217;t miss seeing this classic literary adaptation at least once. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Olivia de Havilland as Catherine<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-De-Haviland.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-De-Haviland-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-29117\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-De-Haviland-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-De-Haviland-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-De-Haviland-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-De-Haviland.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Montgomery Clift as Morris<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Clift.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Clift-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-29116\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Clift-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Clift-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Clift-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Clift.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Ralph Richardson as Dr. Sloper<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Richardson.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Richardson-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-29114\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Richardson-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Richardson-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Richardson-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Richardson.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Miriam Hopkins as Aunt Lavinia<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Direction-Hopkins.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Direction-Hopkins-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-29119\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Direction-Hopkins-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Direction-Hopkins-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Direction-Hopkins-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Direction-Hopkins.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Betty Linley as Mrs. Montgomery<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Linley.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Linley-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-29112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Linley-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Linley-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Linley-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Linley.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine sets and period detail<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Sets-Period-Detail.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Sets-Period-Detail-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-29115\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Sets-Period-Detail-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Sets-Period-Detail-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Sets-Period-Detail-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Heiress-Sets-Period-Detail.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Aaron Copland&#8217;s score<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, for de Havilland&#8217;s Oscar-winning performance, and as a powerful film overall. Listed as a film with Historical Relevance and a Personal Recommendation. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Noteworthy Performance(s)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> (<span style=\"color:red;font-weight:bold;\">Listed in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-static\/1001Movies.htm\"><em>1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die<\/em><\/a><\/span>) <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0041452\/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/movies.tvguide.com\/the-heiress\/review\/125765\">TV Guide Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s2220heir.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/movies.nytimes.com\/movie\/review?res=9400E7DC143BE23BBC4F53DFB6678382659EDE\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/77655\/the-heiress#articles-reviews?articleId=12681\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/2oVSuorVJXs\">Tired Old Queen at the Movies Video Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Only I know what I lost when she died &#8212; and what I got in her place.&#8221; Synopsis: The socially awkward daughter (Olivia de Havilland) of a wealthy doctor (Ralph Richardson) falls in love with a handsome suitor (Montgomery Clift) who may or may not have mercenary intentions. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Father and Child Heiresses Historical Drama Miriam Hopkins Films Montgomery Clift Films Olivia de Havilland Films Ralph Richardson Films Revenge Spinsters William Wyler Films Review: Olivia de&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=29108\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29108","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29108","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=29108"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29108\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":60695,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29108\/revisions\/60695"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=29108"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=29108"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=29108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}