Coup de foudre

Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer are "Together Again" in this 1944 comedy, which also stars Charles Coburn, Mona Freeman, and Jerome Courtland.

Dunne plays Anne Crandall, widow of a small-town mayor. She has inherited his post and lives with her stepdaughter (Freeman) and her father-in-law (Coburn). Crandall Sr. (Coburn) wants Anne to get out and enjoy life, but Anne, in very un-'40s style, enjoys her career and life and doesn't need a man. One night, during a thunderstorm, lightning strikes the statue of her husband in the town square and knocks off his head. Anne is rushed to New York City to interview George Corday (Boyer), a sculptor to do a new statue. There's an instant attraction, which Anne pretends doesn't exist. After a series of misadventures, Anne decides she doesn't want Corday in her hometown, and leaves New York. He follows.

Dunne looks great and shows her wonderful comic style, and Boyer just drips with charm in this. Coburn does a good job as her irascible father-in-law. Jerome Courtland is Diana's (Freeman) boyfriend, and he does a nice comic turn. A very young Freeman turns in a good performance as Diana.

I read some negative reviews here. I found this to be a delightful comedy, thanks in large part to both Dunne and Boyer, with good support from Coburn. Is it The Philadelphia Story? No, but it's very enjoyable. And those hats! Killers.

'Together Again' had a good deal going for it. An interesting premise. Direction by Charles Vidor, who was a reliable director. And two talented leads in Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer, am more familiar and have a preference for Dunne in general but it will always be hard to forget Boyer's performance in 'Gaslight'. Also like romantic comedy when it is done well, and there are numerous times where it has been (as well as badly).

For me, there are far better romantic comedies out there (old and new) than 'Together Again' and it doesn't completely succeed. As well as far worse, this is one of the bang in-between ones. Also think it could have done more with its potential. There is quite a lot to enjoy though, 'Together Again' is quite a fun inoffensive film as long as one doesn't expect a massive amount from it but it is easy to see where people less enamoured by and more critical of it are coming from.

Its weak point is the story, which even when trying to not take it too seriously is easy to criticise. It is very over-familiar and far-fetched with motivations and situations being appearing without much warning and not really explored properly and with some of the film not ringing true all that much. Also think that it would have benefitted from not trying to include as much as it did, on top of being very worthy it did feel like 'Together Again' tried to do more than it needed to.

So it did in parts feel pretty choppy which affected the amount of depth there was, which was not enough. The characters are well played on the most part and one doesn't detest them, but for my tastes they read too much like underdeveloped stereotypes. Do agree that Mona Freeman is very annoying in her role and that the first fifteen minutes are too talky and rambles on too much.

But stick with it and don't give up because 'Together Again" does generally become much more entertaining. It is very nicely shot and designed and Vidor directs more than competently, he is at ease with the material and seems engaged with it. The script has a fair share of witty moments, the best which is primarily in the chemistry between Dunne and Boyer gleaming in sparkle. Its more romantic parts have genuine charm without being over-sentimental.

While the story is heavily flawed, it is also cute and entertaining, carried by the gleaming chemistry between the two leads. Who are both very strong and engaging with material that serves them quite well. Ever reliable Charles Coburn is the standout of the rest of the cast.

On the whole, could have been a lot better but not a bad time passer. 6/10

I saw this film a long time ago, and I wish it were on television more often. According to another reviewer, it is not yet available on DVD, and I wish it were.

The film stars Irene Dunne as the widow of a small town mayor, and she hires a famous sculptor, portrayed by Charles Boyer, to sculpt a statue of her late "sainted" husband. After some hesitation on the part of Dunne, a romance follows, along with family predicaments that complicate the plot and create the comedy in the film. Throughout the film the tango number, "I Get Ideas," adds to the romantic atmosphere as widow Dunne finds she can love again.

The ending contains an unexpected comedic happening, and the viewer is left to imagine the outcome of plot. This film is one I would recommend to anyone who likes romantic films and "chick" flicks.

Some fun big names in this one... Charles Coburn (Jonathan) was awesome in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes".... Anne is played by Irene Dunn, who had made a whole bunch of films with Cary Grant. Lots of talking right at the beginning, and we hear how Mayor Anne Crandall has always been the straight arrow, putting others' needs before her own. This story has quite a bit in common with "Key to the City" from 1950. Small town mayor goes traveling to the big city, makes unwanted headlines, the troubles begin... although "Key" was MGM, "Together Again" was Columbia Pictures.. AND it came first. Although, honestly, "Key" was much more zany and fun. "Together" is much more sedate, calm, and collected. Boyer and Dunn are both stealing every scene, and we don't feel the chemistry we see in "Key to the City". Directed by Charles Vidor, who would also direct "Gilda" a couple years later . "Together Again" is pretty good. If you haven't seen "Key to the City", try to see that one too!

Fun teaming of Dunne and Boyer in a nice little comedy with good performances by all.

Dunne plays a widow who is mayor of a small Vermont town. She goes off to New York City to interview a sculptor (Boyer) for a town project but gets involved in a nightclub raid after she is mistaken for the stripper. Back in Vermont Dunne tries to forget Boyer but he shows up and moves into her garage to sculpt.

Dunne is goaded into "life" again by her father-in-law (Charles Coburn) and dramatic teen step-daughter (Mona Freeman). This get funny when Freeman thinks Boyer has proposed to her. To get even Dunne traps gawky teen (Jerome Courtland) into proposing to her. The four spar back and forth with Coburn get more and more confused until things finally straighten out.

Good support from Elizabeth Patterson, Charles Dingle, Janis Carter, Adele Jergens, Carl Switzer, Nora Cecil, Nina Mae McKinney, and Hobart Cavanaugh. Shelley Winters has a bit part.

Dunne and Boyer had great chemistry and three made films together.