Prisonniers du passé

Thank heaven Sydney Pollack did not have amnesia when choosing this year's Essentials for TCM. I had long heard of "Random Harvest," primarily from relatives who saw it on first release, but never had the chance to see it for myself until this year.

What a wonderful movie. It's never overly sentimental, it's wistful and suspenseful at times, and buoyed by supreme performances from Ronald Colman and Greer Garson.

And who knew Greer could sing and dance like Marlene Dietrich! Colman was so versatile; one of the few actors who was just as successful in talkies as he had been in silents. He was by turns dashing, heroic, dignified, playful and romantic. Here he gets to be all of them. And Greer is his equal. This movie (and "Valley of Decision") made me a fan of hers, plus we have the same birthday.

Sydney Pollack was right in abandoning his long-held plans to remake "Random Harvest." It simply couldn't be done again. Mervyn LeRoy, the James Hilton story and that wonderful company of actors can't be bested.

Random Harvest is very fondly remembered and loved by many and for good reason. It is such a beautiful film in so many ways and one of the most moving films I've seen. Random Harvest is a splendidly made film, both sumptuous and Expressionist and still looking as fresh now as it did then. The period detail is rendered handsomely as well, not accurate perhaps but with the quality of how the film looks that doesn't really matter all that much. The music has that lush romantic feeling without being too syrupy, the use of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake was apt and will be a delight for classical music enthusiasts(count me as one). The script has the right dose of warmth and pathos with nothing being corny or overly-sentimental; this is a script with heart. As has the story, which is romantic to the hilt, heart-warming and incredibly touching, you're guaranteed to need tissues when Charles doesn't return to Paula after going to Liverpool and when his memory starts to come back. I was so engrossed by the characters and so touched by the story that any improbabilities were easily forgiven. Mervyn Leroy's direction is masterly and the characters are sweet and very human, complete with one of the most realistic and heart-breaking portrayals of shell-shock on film. The supporting cast all give solid performances, Susan Peters is utterly convincing in her feistiness and confidence and Reginald Owen, Henry Travers and Edmund Gwenn are always watchable. But the two leads dominate and are a huge part of the reason why Random Harvest works so well. Ronald Colman was a revelation, wistful and dignified but it is also very difficult to not tear up at Colman's body language when his memory starts returning, a very telling piece of acting. Greer Garson is just radiant and is wonderfully sincere in her role. Their chemistry together is just pure magic. All in all, beautiful and outstanding film, cinematic romance at its finest. 10/10 Bethany Cox

James Hilton wrote a handful of works whose staying power and emotive intensity compare with the greatest of all written literature. Taken from the great book, "Random Harvest" is one of the most beautiful and tender movies I have ever seen. Flawless acting, memorable cinematography, multi-dimensional characterizations, gorgeous scenery and peerless direction augment the pleasure of witnessing this great film.

For Hilton aficionados, this cinematic gem sparkles and gleams in the sun of Hilton's undying faith in eternal optimism, hope, sacrifice and love. The story is true to the Hilton novel and left me with gratitude rekindled for all of life's great bounties and blessings, not the least of which are the everlasting bonds of love we create and re-create through mortality.

Personally, I find the story parabolic on a deeply significant level: indeed we all are children of a great--yes, royal--family; sometimes we live our mortal lives with a dismissive attitude toward what turn out to be the turning points in our lives; oftentimes it takes us all our lives to find out who we really are; we walk through life constantly "adjusting our glasses" to see more clearly, when the very key is to adjust OURSELVES so that the "glasses" we HAVE help us see clearly; and finally, love DOES conquer all.

See this fabulous movie with a dear one and experience the magic.

Normally, this kind of sentimental film does not appeal to me, but this work makes for an obvious exception. What a beautiful woman Greer Garson was, not just in appearance but also in poise and loveliness of personality with her warm and generous charm. This is a major achievement in movie-making, the likes we will never see again, and, believe me, that is tragic because as a society we are the worse for it as it states that something is lacking in us in general. Ronald Colman was the classic gentleman, a wonderful man whose acting brought out the best that is in all of us. This film was my mother's favorite and I can see why. This is truly a romantic film about two people torn apart by the mind, and yet with hope and faith the couple in love can never be separated forever if there is a will for one to protect the other from harm. What a wonderful and beautiful climax right at the end of the film when Greer Garson exclaims "Smithy" and Ronald Colman is bone-chilled as his mind recovers its memory of lost love when he replies with "Paula." Your heart should melt at this point and if it does not there is something seriously wrong with you as a human being.

One of the most irretrievably romantic films ever made, Random Harvest is an absolute must for romantics of all ages. I'd agree that Ronald Colman is a bit too old for the early parts of the story, but that didn't stop him from giving a magnificent performance. And Greer Garson is every bit his match in a perfect role. However, if you possibly can, read James Hilton's amazing book first; the movie totally negates the important plot twist that makes the last page of the book such an incredibly emotional experience.