millriver

This film, so long ignored by most critics and viewers alike, deserves a fresh look and those who watch it will be in for a treat. The film is surprisingly modern, with pre-marital sex (off-screen of course but hardly your usual Irene Dunne behavior!) and a gone-wild girl marrying on the "rebound." Gregory LeCava is nothing less than a fascinating director and he certainly delivers with this forgotten gem. Dunne is in her usual great actress category while the story never goes sentimental. In fact, the ending is something of a shock with no pretensions of a happy conclusion. Catch this one!

I'm glad I'm not the only one to pan this over-glossy remake of one of the finest pre-war romance/dramas ever made. The trouble is that almost to a man, all those who rave about this version have NEVER seen the original. Perhaps if I hadn't seen the 1939 version immediately prior to this one I might have been a little more generous. As it is, I think Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant in this movie seem merely play-acting, simply going thru the motions of being "movie stars." There is not a drop of REAL emotion or feeling in either - at least if you watch Dunne and Boyer. It's sad that Dunne (who was nominated for an academy award for her performance as well as the film itself) has not yet achieved the recognition she so justly deserves. Not only is she a consummate actress who ranks among the most versatile of all Hollywood stars, she SINGS beautifully and knocks you for a loop with her rendition of "Sing my Heart" in this film (a fact hardly mentioned in any of the reviews!). Her stock has been so forgotten that at least one reviewer writes that it is Cary Grant - her co-star in Awful Truth - who "pulls off" that particular film; perhaps he was unawares that SHE was nominated for an Oscar in that film as well. No, it is Irene who makes "Awful Truth" more than a gem; the same here. Good taste and judgement both seem to be vanishing like good weather these days. And Grant for all his charm and (perhaps over-rated) popularity, is simply not in the same league as Boyer, one of the finest of all actors during this era. Boyer brings tears to the eyes in the film's finale. Grant simply "acts." No my friends (or enemies, considering how much this review will bring on the ire of its not inconsiderable fans), this film is a dud, at least when compared to the life-like and spontaneous interactions of the main characters in the original. It is also to be regretted that, until this year, the 1937 original was available only in poor quality versions, probably another reason why it has been neglected. Happily, one can now see it in Blu-ray on the Lobster label. "Affair" a great movie??? NEVER! Vive "Love Affair!!!!!"

I was expecting something much more interesting. I knew it was a better film then "Bringing Up Baby" and it is but next to "Awful Truth" this is a dud. And that film gets only a 7.7 while this one a 7.8. I really think you guys don't know a great film when you see one. Irene Dunne is by far a better actress and any film of hers is worth watching. Sorry folks.