I KNOW WHERE I'M GOING has lots of Scottish atmosphere so that you can almost feel the cold dampness of the highlands, the mists, the wind, the raging surf, the cosy inns before the fire--yes, all that is present but the plot is a slight thread of a romance between a headstrong girl (WENDY HILLER) and a handsome sea captain (ROGER LIVESEY). Their romance is kindled when she's unable to cross the sea to an island where she's supposed to meet her fiancé, a wealthy older man whom she's arranged to wed.
Unfortunately, Hiller's character is rather prim, proper and headstrong, trying hard not to be conflicted about her marriage plans when she realizes she's attracted the eye of Livesey, a genial man who obviously enjoys her company and doesn't mind being stranded during what appears to be a squall that never ends. I kept thinking how much more enjoyable the film would have been with someone like DEBORAH KERR in Hiller's role, for although Hiller is a good character actress she lacks the warmth one would expect to come through at least midway through the story.
Livesey is charming enough in a romantic role but Hiller's character makes it unlikely that such a man is going to fall instantly in love with the dour girl who seems to be rebuffing all his advances until the very end.
I have to confess I missed much of the dialog, what with the Scottish or Gaelic accents being on the heavy side. I was hoping TCM would show it with subtitles so I could catch every word, but this was not the case for a film that really needed some captioning.
At any rate, having heard so much advance word about this one I was expecting a bit more in the way of satisfying romance or comedy/drama. Instead, I was annoyed by the male supporting characters (among them, FINLAY CURRIE) who added ethnic atmosphere but seemed to have no actual bearing on what little plot there was. PAMELA BROWN does a nice understated job as an inn owner and PETULA CLARK can be seen briefly as the rather precocious young girl with the glasses. All in all, a disappointment, considering that it comes from Powell and Pressburger.
If atmosphere is all it takes for you to enjoy a slender romance, this has it in spades.
Unfortunately, Hiller's character is rather prim, proper and headstrong, trying hard not to be conflicted about her marriage plans when she realizes she's attracted the eye of Livesey, a genial man who obviously enjoys her company and doesn't mind being stranded during what appears to be a squall that never ends. I kept thinking how much more enjoyable the film would have been with someone like DEBORAH KERR in Hiller's role, for although Hiller is a good character actress she lacks the warmth one would expect to come through at least midway through the story.
Livesey is charming enough in a romantic role but Hiller's character makes it unlikely that such a man is going to fall instantly in love with the dour girl who seems to be rebuffing all his advances until the very end.
I have to confess I missed much of the dialog, what with the Scottish or Gaelic accents being on the heavy side. I was hoping TCM would show it with subtitles so I could catch every word, but this was not the case for a film that really needed some captioning.
At any rate, having heard so much advance word about this one I was expecting a bit more in the way of satisfying romance or comedy/drama. Instead, I was annoyed by the male supporting characters (among them, FINLAY CURRIE) who added ethnic atmosphere but seemed to have no actual bearing on what little plot there was. PAMELA BROWN does a nice understated job as an inn owner and PETULA CLARK can be seen briefly as the rather precocious young girl with the glasses. All in all, a disappointment, considering that it comes from Powell and Pressburger.
If atmosphere is all it takes for you to enjoy a slender romance, this has it in spades.