So Evil My Love

One of those 40's/50's movies where everyone looks gorgeous and the acting is so subdued you'd think the cast was sleepwalking. Still, its a good psychological character study, and I kept watching just to find out what was going to happen.

Joseph Shearing (a pseudonym) was a woman novelist specializing in tales based on actual murder cases. Her novel AIRING IN A CLOSED CARRIAGE is based on the murder of James Maybrick, presumably by his wife Florence in 1889. SO EVIL MY LOVE is based on an earlier poisoning case, the death (in 1876) of Charles Delauney Turner Bravo, a wealthy barrister, at his home "The Priory" in Balham, England. It is a murder that was never really settled. Although doubts remain as to James Maybrick being a victim of murder or accident, Florence was convicted after a controversial trial, and then got her sentence reduced. In the Bravo case, suspicion fell on his wife, on the wife's close friend, and on an elderly doctor who had an earlier affair with the wife. Nothing was really determined. Ms Shearing has opted for the close friend (in real life her name was Jane Cox)to be the killer, although driven to it here by her devotion to a cad (not historically true). The conclusion of the film, where Ann Todd discovers how Ray Milland used her and turns on him in a closed Hansom Cab seems based on a 1904 New York City murder, the Nan Patterson-Ceasar Young case.

'So Evil My Love' has the sort of story that has always appealed to me and on paper it sounded really interesting, it also looked good and had heard a lot of good things about it which picqued my interest further. Having Ray Milland, Ann Todd and Geraldine Fitzgerald in a film on their own promises a lot. Having them together in the same film had me sold even further. So yeah, there was a lot that 'So Evil My Love' had going for it.

While not quite perfect, 'So Evil My Love' is delightful for anybody that loves the genre and stories with a similar theme. It is an extremely well done film, that works excellently as both a suspense film and psychological study. Those that like either Milland, Todd or Fitzgerald, and even better all three, should not find themselves disappointed with all three being in roles worthy of their talent as well as somewhat stretching them. It would be a very easy yes if asked my opinion on whether the film is worth watching or not.

The not so good things will be mentioned first. They are vastly outweighed by the many great things and they are minor too, well relatively. The central relationship does develop a little too quickly, with Milland's character being too easily fallen for, and part of me felt that his true colours could have been revealed a little latter.

Do think that the film could have gotten going quicker, a little too much set up.

Milland though gives a great performance in a role that suits him very well, he manages to be very charming but also sinister. Todd is perhaps even better, her vulnerability was touching and her steel was worthy of a lot of admiration. Fitzgerald brings out her character's neuroses very effectively without overplaying and is actually quite sympathetic. Raymond Huntley is almost as chilling as Milland.

Furthermore, 'So Evil My Love' is gorgeously filmed, which matched the story's grit very well and never felt artificial, complete with a handsome and evocative period production design. The direction is seldom less than assured and gets better as the film progresses, while the music is haunting and seldom excessively scored. The script is intelligent and tightly structured while the story works very well psychologically, the characters are interesting and the right ones are worth investing in. The character relationships generally have the right amount of tension and insight. As well as the right amount of suspense, culminating in an ending that still gives the chills.

In summary, very well done. 8/10

It's not too often that likable RAY MILLAND played a downright villain or rogue, but he uses his roguish charm quite as well here as he would eventually in Hitchcock's DIAL M FOR MURDER. He plays a hard on his luck artist who lures ANN TODD into a romance, while she's unaware that she's a mere pawn in his game to steal money from her friend's husband. GERALDINE FITZGERALD is the woman friend and she, as usual, shines in support.

But it's really a film carried by Milland and Todd and they play against each other very well. The only weakness is that it's difficult to see why a woman as intelligent as Todd would fall so easily for the scheming Milland and then agree to do some dirty work on her friend's husband.

It's a Victorian crime of passion that takes its time in setting up the characters and the situations, but once the plot gets under way the viewer becomes involved in the story, thanks to some good direction, script and photography which gives a realistic feel to the gritty story with a downbeat ending.

Atmospheric and well worth watching for the little nuances along the way.

Widowed Ann Todd (Olivia) returns from Jamaica from her Missionary work and smoking loads of ganja to live out her life in her Kensington house where she rents a room to prudish busy-body Muriel Aked (Miss Shoebridge). On her trip back to the UK, she made friends with thief Ray Milland (Mike) who now shows up at her house looking for lodgings. She is unaware of his past and takes him in, but he has ulterior motives. He flatters and charms her until she falls in love with him and agrees to go along with his plans to blackmail the household of Todd's wealthy school friend Geraldine Fitzgerald (Susan) who is married to the bullying and socially-aspiring Raymond Huntley (Henry). However, things don't go to plan…..

The film develops at a leisurely pace and it seems a bit too long, but it is worth it for the final third when the tension starts to increase, and I certainly did not expect the final outcome when Todd and Milland meet up to make their getaway. I found it to be a satisfying conclusion which may leave you on a bit of a downer but it is effective melodrama.

The acting is good with a special mention to Ann Todd. She convinces as a vulnerable widow as well as a broken-hearted woman who is out for revenge. Milland's girlfriend Moira Lister (Kitty) also does well in one of the smaller roles and she is crucial to the way the story pans out in the end.

There is an atmospheric setting of Victorian London and the story is based on a true incident which all adds to the interest. It's a film that is worth seeing if only as a warning against being unfaithful in love. Don't expect forgiveness.