Classy slice of soap opera. Little b&w's like this, even with a big name star, were about to be phased out by TV and big screen Technicolor. The movie's basically a vehicle for Davis's formidable talents, but in the process manages a few poignant moments. I like the flashback format since it counter-poses David (Sullivan) and Joyce's (Davis) early, happy years of struggle with the wealthy snob that Joyce becomes. Of course, actress Davis is much better at being shrewish than being wifely restrained. But her early restraint hides a deeper nature as she schemes to bring about David's law office success. As a result, we can believe how Joyce will later exploit David's wealth.
Bernhardt directs with smoothness and assurance. Clearly, he's at home with the shadings of social class and wounded emotion. Those catty sessions between upper-class women are particularly well done. Still, when I think dutiful husband, I don't think Barry Sullivan. With his edgy features, he looks more at home with a Colt.45 and a growl, (The Gangster, {1947}). Nonetheless, he's properly reserved here allowing Davis to dominate. David is, however, pretty hard to believe as being the meekly nice guy he turns out to be, which may be the movie's major flaw. Still, the ending manages an element of uncertainty, which I guess was still enough to satisfy Code watchdogs. Watch too for bobby-soxer Betty Lynn (Martha) 10-years away from Mayberry and Don Knotts.
I guess many folks would call this a woman's picture, so it's not for all tastes. Nonetheless, the 90-minutes amounts to a solid example of how Hollywood could polish up even the most shopworn kind of plot. Kudoes to RKO.
