Amei Até Morrer

We love Lizabeth Scott when she's bad. She isn't bad in this, the script and the rest of the cast is. Bob Cummings should stick to light comedy and the other leading lady is so bland I can't remember her.

The overwrought accident that causes all the guilt and melodrama is as ludicrous as the sacrifice made at the ending.

Caught this film by accident some years ago in a hospital waiting room. It's a soap, for sure, but I was unexpectedly impressed by the acting and the direction, which made the teary script work far better than it had a right to. A thoroughly, impressively professional job all around!

Following an opening salvo of schmooze fest bonhomie and lighthearted romance, perpetuated by Eve Arden's irrepressible, razor sharp wit, Paid in Full hints at both film noir and psychological drama, prior to falling flat on its face, wallowing in the worst excesses of mawkish afternoon soap.

The movie confronts some delicate and distressing personal issues, but in such a contrived and gauche fashion that the events, traumatic as they are, feel like they have been grafted on to the narrative for maximum emotional mileage, rather than as natural and integral aspects of the story.

Paid in Full may have scored heavily on the 'not a dry eye in the house' ratings at the time of its release, but disappointingly wastes the talents of its three leads, the aforementioned Eve Arden and the hugely undervalued Kristine Miller. Overlong, overblown and overwrought, this turgid tearjerker now seems stodgy, dated and largely implausible.

There is good soap and corny soap; this film definitely falls into the latter category. Gone With the Wind and West Side Story are good soaps and both have innocents who are sacrificed in the course of events, as this film does. However, the former films have a much higher degree of believability; this film does not. Robert Cummngs, Lizabeth Scott, and Diana Lynn all give worthy performances, but even their best efforts cannot overcome a highly flawed story line. In real life, these sisters would probably never have spoken to each other again after the failed first marriage, much less remain in constant contact. All the ensuing events after the first marriage rang false to me. For soap lovers only; and for those who still believe in the Easter Bunny.

I must make note - Most "reviewers" feel necessary to give a plot replay.. WHY? These are called "reviews" NOT synopsis's. With that aside. Liz shows us once again why she was a A-Lister who got out on top.. A must note regarding her co star. When a thespian can bring you to detest them..well it makes them GREAT at their trade. Diane Lynn does precisely this...