À chacun son destin

What a gentle, tender story! This is a Romance 'par excellence' handled with maturity, insight, and simply told in flashbacks which take us back to earlier years, into the realities of life for a young woman who loses her true love during wartime (WW1) then finds herself unmarried and bringing a child into the world whom she must give up afterwards due to a twist in circumstances. It's a truly wonderful role for Olivia de Havilland, as Jodie Norris, and I can't think of anyone else who could play it so convincingly.

Roland Culver, in his supporting role as Lord Desham, provides a substantial backup for the elderly 'Jodie' who meets him rather abrasively during WW2 days but later relates to him the personal tragedy in her youth. He has the presence of mind and determination to see that old wrongs are set aright -- all of which leads to one of the most beautiful endings to a film anyone could wish for.

It's a film that poignantly reflects the war years when so many lives were uprooted, hopes dashed, yet carried on with courage. I wish they made more films like this one, it's a gem.

First, let me say I'm in awe of the previous reviewers and their spot-on knowledge of this film and Olivia de Havilland's body of work. Bravo, and thank you for pointing me towards this "hidden" treasure.

So allow me to confirm that this "small" 1946 movie is still riveting fare in 2010. The subject matter is just as relevant today and will speak to women for generations to come. In that regard, its forever timeless.

Filmed in b&w, and happily so, though 7 years newer than "The Wizard of Oz"... I'm still waiting for them to colorize the rest of that bloated Saturday matinée flick. *s* Tune in next time when I attack "Gone with the Wind," "Casablanca" and "Citizen Kane."

This film dealt with a delicate subject in a frank and realistic manner. I'm particularly impressed by the way this movie was story-boarded. It flowed brilliantly. If shot today, it would be shoved in my face, every stinkin' detail, nothing left to the imagination... plenty of yelling, smashing dishes and cussing.

Equally impressive is Ms. de Havilland's Oscar-winning performance. I couldn't take my eyes off her. When the movie took her back 20 years younger, my mouth dropped.

But it was much more than the make-up. It was Olivia.

Happy ending or sad? not telling. I'll reveal this, though. This 55 year old man doesn't typically cry at weddings or funerals, but by the closing credits, both cheeks were wet. But then maybe its because she reminds me of my mother, 1933-1981.

Search out this gem.

To Each His Own covers more than twenty years in the life of Josephine "Jody" Norris (Olivia DeHavilland), a successful American-born businesswoman now working in London as an air raid warden. Jody thinks back to an earlier time in her life when she had fallen in love with a handsome WWI fighter pilot named Bart Cosgrove (John Lund, in his motion picture debut). Shortly after she becomes pregnant by Cosgrove, Jody learns he has been killed in action. To avoid public scandal, she concocts a scheme to keep her child, but it backfires. Her son, who becomes a fighter pilot like his late father, doesn't know who his real mother is. But Jody's confidante, Lord Desham (Roland Culver, in a wonderfully understated performance), does, and he believes it's his duty to right the situation. A superior soap opera, the film is deftly directed by Mitchell Leisen and features restrained, impressive performances by the entire cast. For her efforts as Jody, deHavilland won the 1946 Oscar for Best Actress. Victor Young's music is never overbearing, and Charles Brackett and Jacques Thery's screenplay is wise and intelligently written.

This is a beautifully acted and realized "soap" kind of mother love films, which done in 1946, has the ability to still bring down the toughest EVIL MEANIE to his or her knees. De Havilland is deserving of the Academy Award she won for her range and her excellence as a screen actress. She may not have come from the Method school of training or RADA but her varied performances which can quite literally be called a brilliant melange of characters in THE HEIRESS to SNAKE PIT in which she is as good as it gets in female roles. Charlie Brackett wrote a tight screenplay for what could have gone on for hours and the art direction and music all work along with one of those great supporting group of character actors of the day. All told, it is De Havilland's controlled and believable performance that make this a film a must see for the most hardened critic. Grown men will not admit to liking this film because it more than likely will bring a tear of two.....it is that good.

I found this web site so I could find this movie! This story was so captivating and Olivia's performance was so endearing that I was glued to the television at 2am and didn't care! For those of you who love the tales of tragic love denied and then bestowed - this is one of the best kept secrets of classic movies.