Os Amores de Suzana

Walter Abel is getting married to Joan Fontaine, so he wants to learn more about her from her exes, in "The Affairs of Susan." She was married to George Brent and Don Defore, and engaged to Dennis O'Keefe. They all tell their story of meeting her and the personality of Susan they knew and loved. When I started the film, it felt a little forced. But the film's entertainment really starts with George Brent's flashback, as he was her first husband. Their chemistry is great and they make for a sweet couple, but of course their relationship sours and Susan loses her unpretentiousness, resulting in their divorce, thus leading to the others' tales. All the actors are well cast and their stories are so engrossing, but it's all about Susan, and Joan Fontaine gives a great and relatively restrained performance as Susan, who goes from guy to guy, learning who she is and what she wants out of life. I know this sounds serious, when in fact it was a delightful comedy-drama. In fact, Walter Abel was quite disturbed when he saw all of the gentlemen's pictures in her apartment. She had not told him, in the brief time they knew each other, before his proposal, about any of her past. But what happens when he learns more about his fiancée? When you add up all "The Affairs of Susan," what has any of them learned? It seems that Susan....

Joan Fontaine was so often cast in moody, introspective roles in somber dramas that her prowess in comedy was seldom explored. Here it certainly is--she gets the chance to play a woman who is entirely different in the eyes of three men who loved her in the past (George Brent, Don deFore and Dennis O'Keefe)--and are now telling their stories to the man about to marry her (Walter Abel). In flashback we see Susan as a plain-Jane who becomes an actressy type, an intellectual and a glamorous sophisticate. It's a pleasure to see Fontaine enjoying herself in a demanding comedy role for a change--with excellent support from her co-stars, particularly George Brent as an ex-husband. Rarely shown on TV, it's one you have to catch on one of the cable channels and well worth viewing.

George Brent was my fave of the guys.

And the star of the movie being a Joan, playing a Susan who is cast in a stage production of Joan of Arc- wasn't expecting that!

Joan of Arc follows me, I swear. There's some connection between us! Me and the name Joan, it's a big deal! The only thing it was missing was an "Alice in Wonderland" mention (but there is an Alice Flemming in an uncredited role- so Alice-Joan connections strike again!)!

Not one of my favorites. It kind of dragged for me, though maybe I just haven't been in the mood for it. This seems like a part perfect for Jean Arthur though, and I kept wishing it were her. In certain parts of the film, Joan looks like Jean too! Fun fact: Jean is a variation of the name Joan!'

Not the best, but still good. Glad I saw it.

Joan Fontaine shines brilliantly in one of her rare comedies. She plays Susan who is pursued by four different men, each with distinct personalities. As she adapts to each of her suitors personalities, we see a different Susan and a delightful Joan Fontaine. I highly recommend this film to anyone who enjoys witty dialogue, a brisk paced film. super performances by a supporting cast, and most especially anyone who loves clever story lines. Edith Head designed the clothes Ms. Fontaine wears and they are to die for. It is not available on video, so tape it when it comes on cable. Every once in a while you can purchase it on Ebay. Joan Fontaine is simply great in this movie.

Obviously, "The Affairs of Susan" has some dated depictions of gender relations. But aside from that, it's a funny movie, with Joan Fontaine playing a woman whose fiancé (Walter Abel) finds out about her previous relationships. All her previous lovers have a story about her wacky antics. The humor is more subtle than what we're used to, but when it bubbles up, there's plenty of laughs to be had! While not the greatest comedy ever, it's still one that you're bound to enjoy. I sure did. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Story but lost to "The House on 92nd Street" (which was actually the more important movie that year).