Two Against the World

The unlikely romantic pairing of Constance Bennett and Neil Hamilton somehow works in this fast paced critique of privileged society. Constance is a spoiled rich girl (something she's always good at playing!) who tries to bend the rules once too often in a desperate attempt to protect her family. It doesn't help that Neil Hamilton, in one of his warmer performances as a do-gooder attorney, has to grill her on the witness stand despite his being in love with her. These two headstrong people are forced to bend a little in each other's direction as circumstances dictate: she learns that being privileged doesn't necessarily mean being better; he that being ethical may have its moral limits.

Constance Bennett's energy and wit find an unusual focus in her romantic pursuit of Hamilton. She may not be willing to give up caviar for the luncheon special beans he prefers, but she's game to keep on trying!

I never cease to be amazed at how in the early 1930s they were able to pack twice as much plot, action, social comment and ideas in 70-minute movies than exist in today's movies that are twice as long.

This one was very loosely inspired by a contemporary scandal about a murder committed by a rich socialite "defending his sister's honor" as they used to say in the era of the sexual double standard that underlies so many plots in those days.

Yes, as some have pointed out, some of the main characters are spoiled rich people. So are some of the main characters in novels by Tolstoy, Henry James and Edith Wharton. If it bothers you, go back to your Spiderman movies.

The plot revolves about a budding romance between Constance Bennett, one of the more spoiled idle rich and a member of the family involved in the scandal, and Neil Hamilton as a socially conscious attorney formerly from her social class.

The pace is so fast that it takes some time to sort all the characters out, which may deter you at first but it all becomes clear eventually. The film takes jabs at sensationalistic tabloids, the double standard and our justice system's bias towards the rich, but like everything else in the movie, doesn't linger on these any longer than needed to make its point.

Not to say that the movie is at all preachy. There's plenty of comedy and snappy dialogue along the way.

If you seek uplift, Bennett's character gains much insight into her own nature and lifestyle as the film advances but, again, the point isn't belabored.

Bennett and Hamilton both charm in their roles and the whole cast is excellent.

This film was made right after the successful What Price Hollywood, which was a departure from Bennett's string of confession stories that made her the highest paid actress in the business. In this film, Bennett is even better. The plot is familiar - the only surprise being that Bennett's wastrel brother doesn't get what he deserves - but the plot doesn't matter. This is the story of a girl who meets the man she can happily live with for the rest of her life, though there is a big bump enroute to the happy ending. Bennett is reteamed with Neil Hamilton - her love interest in What Price Hollywood - and he proves that he's the man who can tame this privileged rich girl, who thinks traffic signs and no smoking in the elevator don't apply to her.

In 1932 Bennett was getting bad press for her high-hat ways and big spender habits, so the scriptwriters wrote a scene in Hamilton's law office where she gives $100 to his destitute client with a promise of more to come. Hamilton says approvingly, "That was a very nice thing for you to do", which the audience could hardly fail to approve of as well, thereby softening her image.

Bennett/Dell is confident and flirtatious, a young woman who goes after what she wants, and it's immediately evident that she wants the not rich Hamilton, who is smitten with her at first sight. Bennett is gorgeous, stunning in her furs and hats and gowns. Her acting throughout is spot on, and in the climatic courtroom scene she is impressive. Her moods on the witness stand shift from haughtiness to fear to relief and then to suspense as prosecutor Hamilton stares at her for a nerve wracking minute before speaking.

Bennett had a wider range than she's reputed to have, wider than Shearer and Crawford, neither of whom could do comedy. This film should have been the beginning of a long career with one triumphant film following another. Instead, it was the beginning of the end of her stardom. And why Hamilton didn't become a major star like Bennett's frequent movie partner, Joel McCrea, is another mystery.

Constance Bennett stars with Neil Hamilton in "Two Against the World," a precode film from 1932. When a compact is found left on a bed, it just has to be precode.

Bennett plays Dell Hamilton, a beautiful socialite who falls for an attorney (Hamilton). This leads to problems when she tries to protect her family and winds up on the witness stand, with Hamilton on the side of the prosecution.

Decent drama, melodramatic as was the style, with Bennett looking dazzling in a variety of '30s outfits. She gives a lively performance -- flirtatious, charming, and warmhearted. Hamilton is solid and an unlikely candidate as a romantic lead. Thirty-plus years later, he would play Commissioner Gordon on "Batman." I always love watching Constance Bennett in films, and this one was no exception.

Two Against the World (1932)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Rich socialite Adele Hamilton (Constance Bennett) begins dating an honest lawyer (Neil Hamilton) but soon she's mixed up in a murder, which her brother committed. Trying to shield her brother, everything goes as planned until the lawyer becomes the prosecutor on the case. TWO AGAINST THE WORLD is a fairly entertaining courtroom drama that's certainly far-fetched but the performances make it worth sitting through. Obviously, it would be nearly impossible for the lawyer to have to go up against a woman he's been dating and seen with socially but we'll just pretend that doesn't matter. What works the best with this film is that Bennett gives an extremely good and believable performance as the rich woman who is constantly just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I liked how the screenplay made her a very strong woman who believed in doing what it takes to protect those around her and I really enjoyed the final showdown in the courtroom. Again, it's far-fetched but the charm and toughness of Bennett really comes across. Hamilton is also very good in his role as the good-hearted lawyer who finds himself in a tough situation. The supporting players include nice performances from Roscoe Karns, Galvin Gordon and Helen Vinson. Director Archie Mayo could handle this type of film in his sleep so obviously he has no problem keeping it going at a very good pace. At just 70-minutes the film never seems too long and instead it flows at a good pace.