Looking Forward

Understandably, but regrettably, this understated drama of sympathetic characters facing a lifetime of honest effort gone to waste is transformed into propaganda for facing the Depression (1930s) with courage and determination. That the filmmakers make a 180-degree turn toward optimism and a (hopefully) better future is commendable in regard to boosting public morale during economically bleak times, but in doing so they sacrifice the touching story that had been developed up to that point.

As a businessman trying to stoically face the demise an operation that has supported his family for generations in comfort and style, Lewis Stone is superb; no less so Lionel Barrymore as a dull, unimaginative clerk whose long-standing devotion to the company gives him a reason to look forward to each day - until he is laid off when the staff must be reduced. Their scenes together are especially moving: low-key, but charged with emotion. All of this, however, goes for naught when the film's "message" is thrust at us during the final twenty minutes. Lewis Stone's despair, along with his conviction that the business cannot possibly survive another six months, is transformed into a resolve that somehow a way will be found to carry on and prosper. Equally unconvincing is Lionel Barrymore's becoming something of an entrepreneur in order to support his family - he who was deemed expendable by the company for lacking ambition and imagination. The upbeat ending may have been exactly what the times called for, but a well-wrought drama was lost in the process.

Despite my summary I liked this film quite a bit. The actors were all very good, their character portrayals genuine and believable. Nothing else could be expected of the Americans, Lionel Barrymore and Lewis Stone, both or whom were first rate thespians. Of the British actors I am familiar with only three, Benita Hume, Phillips Holmes and Colin Clive and they all acquitted themselves well, especially Clive in a role quite unlike his portrayal of Dr. Frankestein. Overall all actors were very good as was the script if somewhat stagy.

My criticism is directed at the outcome, already criticized by others but for the wrong reasons in my opinion. Many felt its optimism misplaced and unrealistic. I for one don't think so. Call me altruistic but I believe the human race as a whole or as individuals really do excel when faced with adversity. We have an innate ability to be creative when we need it the most. Evolution itself proves that, and perhaps that is why we have it in us.

The missed opportunity has to do with the resolution itself. The emphasis was on the individuals and their ability to find solutions and shape the future. This is where the film shows its American roots. We are a nation of individualists, every one of us a king, master of our own domain and ruler of our destiny. And yet throughout the film I couldn't help but wonder what would have happened had management gathered the work force and collectively addressed the issues facing the business. Service (the Lewis Stone character) felt paternalistic toward his employees and I guess that is commendable but it would have been so much better if he had treated them as partners rather than children. His employees had an equal stake, perhaps even a bigger one because they didn't have the option of being bought out and living out their lives in comfort.

So this is where "Looking Forward" fails. It starts out as a quasi propaganda film when considering the quotations at the beginning and end and the reference to FDR. I wonder where our country would be today if during the Depression the emphasis had been placed on collective action instead. We might have a better sense of our neighbors' plight and a greater willingness to help them out.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that more people go to the movies to escape their problems than to confront them. This was never more true than in the 1930s when most films sedulously avoided even mentioning the D word, let alone showing people in economic extremis. What audiences got instead, in great profusion, were Andy Hardy, show gals, gangsters and Meeting Cute, to mention just four well trod paths of avoidance.

So, it is always interesting to see a film made during the Depression that focuses on money worries and unemployment. It is especially so when the film is intelligent, realistic (at least until the end) and possessed of good performances by a varied assortment of fine British and American actors, such as this offering from director Clarence Brown. I was particularly struck by the lead performance of Lewis Stone, an early practitioner, along with Spencer Tracy and Irene Dunne, of the always effective Less Is More school of acting. Indeed, Stone's restraint and low key-ness seems to filter down to the rest of the cast. Even veteran scenery chewer Lionel Barrymore gives the furniture a masticatory break, for a change.

Being a Clarence Brown film the pacing is going to be deliberate ( in other words, an hour and twenty minutes feels like two plus) and someone, be it the screenwriters or Brown or all of them, should be shot for that treacly rainbow denouement, but taken all in all this film, set in England (perhaps that enabled a Hollywood studio more easily to make it), will hold your attention. Give it a B.

PS...Of the rest of the cast I was particularly struck with Benita Hume. Sexy and sardonic to Brit perfection. Read where she was married to Ronald Colman and George Sanders. Must check out her other film work.

Looking Forward (1933)

*** (out of 4)

Extremely well-acted drama from MGM is a rather depressing tale during its first half only to pour too much sugar during the second part. The film takes place during the Depression as Lewis Stone is forced with the fact that his department store is losing too much money and he is forced to lay off several people including one (Lionel Barrymore) who has been with the company for over forty-years. Soon things are getting even worse and Lewis finds himself nearly broke when someone makes an offer for his store. Barrymore gets top-billing and his name over the title but he's got a rather small role and only appears at the start and end of the film. The movie clearly belongs to Stone who turns in a marvelous performance and really makes this film worth seeking. The Depression-era tone of the film certainly fits in well today and one can't help but feel a lot of the messages being said in this movie could be said today. There are some truly depressing moments in this film including the start where Lewis has to lay off Barrymore. The acting these two give during this sequence is certainly spell bounding as they both perfectly nail the situation and really make you feel everything their characters are saying. Barrymore perfectly captures the depression of his character early on and then matches the happiness that would later follow. Colin Clive of FRANKENSTEIN fame has a small role here that doesn't give him too much to do but fans of the horror genre will still enjoy seeing him. The films title was taken from a speech given by F.D.R. and there's no question that the heart was in the right place even though the final third has way too much sugar than what was really needed. Considering a real Depression was going on, it's understandable that the studio wanted to say something with this film so I'm sure it worked better back when it was released. Fans of the two actors will certainly want to check this one out as both men give wonderful performances.

This is one of the better Depression era films I have seen, as it not only encapsulated what this period was like but had exceptional writing that avoided clichés. And, thanks to exceptional acting, it's well worth seeking out the next time it appears on Turner Classic Movies.

The film is the story of two men who work at the same old family department store--the boss (Lewis Stone) and a lowly career employee (Lionel Barrymore). Both men are in trouble at work. Barrymore is reluctantly let go after 40 years on the job. No matter how sentimental and loyal his boss (Stone) is, the company is in serious trouble and cutbacks must take place. And, when Stone realizes his company is about to go bankrupt, he, too, is seriously affected. However, what really makes the movie exciting is how their families react to the crisis. While it seemed less surprising how Barrymore's family responded, Stone's family was exciting to watch. I could say a lot more--but I just don't want to spoil it for you.

The bottom line is that the movie is exquisitely written and acted. It's also a nice film to offer some hope to Depression-weary audiences--and not in a phoney or formulaic manner. If you enjoy this film, also try "Sweepings--another Barrymore film that is about a company in crisis.