Relíquias de Amor

Paulette Goddard and Fred MacMurray share some cute moments in this modest comedy-drama about a married couple just back from the War. Back in 1941 they had planned to divorce—but then Fred went to the Pacific to fight and Paulette became a WAC and zipped around Europe.

Now it's 1946 and they have to decide how—or whether—to put their lives back together.

Of course there are complications....Fred has taken up with the snooty Other Woman (Arleen Whelan), who wants him to get that divorce. And Fred's best friend (Macdonald Carey), seeing that Paulette may soon be free, sensibly takes an interest in pursuing her.

Unfortunately, Whelan's character just isn't very interesting, and Carey comes across as pushy at best. MacMurray and Goddard seem to be trying hard but there's just not much to their story—a lot of talking but not much snap or depth to the dialog, which leaves the plot feeling flat, too.

The two stars do look good; one could always do worse than spend an hour-and-a-half with Fred and Paulette. If the picture is unconvincing, at least it's also inoffensive.

Films about divorcing people are a tough sell. While there have been some very good films with this as a topic (such as MY FAVORITE WIFE and THE AWFUL TRUTH), this is a very tough sell as there normally isn't anything funny or romantic about divorce.

When the film begins, Mary Morely (Paulette Goddard) arrives home from her stint in the WACs following WWII. Her husband, Peter (Fred MacMurray) wants to meet her to sign their divorce papers. After all, when she entered the Army several years earlier, she'd asked for a divorce and in the interim, Peter fell for Gloria. However, now that Mary has returned, she's reluctant to sign those papers, so she plans on delaying as long as possible and hopes to win him back in the process. After a while, Peter is tired of trying nicely and resorts to deliberately being the most boorish jerk possible. Mary responds by telling him that this is a big turn on! And finally, Pater's 'friend', Jack (Macdonald Carey), works behind Peter's back to try to help him get the divorce...mostly because he wants Mary for himself.

So, how is this film? It's only fair--mostly for two big reasons. First, why they had Fred MacMurray change back and forth into the boorish and loud character, I have no idea...he WAS boorish and loud. Second, the other films I mentioned were simply much better. Better, more subtle and more clever. Now I am not saying this film is bad...but it felt a bit forced at times and is more of a time- passer as opposed to a timeless classic.

Paulette Goddard and Fred MacMurray star as a divorcing couple separated by war. Their divorce, like everything else, is put on hold. She finally returns and Fred is there to meet her and get papers signed, but his girl friend (Arleen Whelan) lurks in the background. And Paulette has in mind a second attempt to save the marriage. Enter Fred's client and friend (Macdonald Carey) who takes an interest in Paulette.

What ensues is a merry chase as Fred and Paulette can't make up their minds whether to proceed with the divorce or try again. Whelan and Carey go along poking and prodding the situation to their own advantages.

Comic highlights include the girls' first meeting in a nightclub where Paulette is stuck wearing an out-of-style and hideous plaid dress (she's still in the Army)while Whelan enters draped in jewels and fur, which flies as the girls dig into each other. Later, Fred shows off his comic chops when he decides that his impression of a cigar-smoking goon will turn off Paulette.

The stars are in top form here and save a so-so comedy with their charm and comic skills. Co-stars include Frank Faylen, Willie Best, Lillian Fontaine, Victoria Horne, Georgia Backus, and Frances Robinson.

MacMurray and Goddard. Two giants of Hollywood in a "comedy" (?). Husband and wife are returning home from war WW II, but all is not well. She (Paulette Goddard as Mary Morely) and Fred MacMurray as Peter, had plans to get divorced, but the war intervened. Now that they have come home, everything is topsy turvy. This was filmed in 1947, so the actual war had already been over for two years. Arleen Whelan is "Gloria", who is Peter's new love interest, and when the women meet, the battle is on. All of a sudden, they both want Peter. This moves along at medium speed. While this WAS probably a very common situation for those returning from war duty, it feels a little shallow now, and they didn't really use the talents of both Goddard and MacMurray. Anyone could have filled these roles and done a fine job. There isn't a whole lot of spark or magic between the cast here. Also, it seems a little late to be discussing the issues of returning spouses. Everyone does a great job, but because the subject is divorce, there's bound to be some hostility. Directed by Mitchell Leisen, who had been nominated for an Oscar waaay back in 1930. Story by P. J. Wolfson, who had written a ton of stuff in the 1930s and 1940s for Paramount. A respectable way to spend an 90 minutes. There is a buzzing in the last 10 minutes, but I guess we're lucky to still have this film around at all.

I don't typically write reviews here, but this film is even more underseen than underrated, and deserves some attention. Paulette Goddard and Fred MacMurray come back from the war, having sworn to get a divorce four years prior. However, during the war Goddard worked as a marriage counselor to soldiers, and has since had a change of heart; not just to save her reputation/career but also her marriage. It plays not dissimilarly to The Awful Truth or The Philadelphia Story, in that MacMurray must chase down his wife; and yet it is dissimilar in that she's the one who loves him and he must chase her down to sign divorce papers. As it turns out, there's nothing so romantic as the thrill of the hunt - will MacMurray open his eyes and see what a wonderful wife he's giving up before it's too late? (Take a wild guess). Definitely would recommend this film to anyone into classic comedy.