The central theme of this film (based on a true story) is that true love is strong enough to overcome all obstacles. The obstacle in this case is prejudice against those from other cultures. William Holden and Jennifer Jones play the American man and the Eurasian woman who meet in Hong Kong and find love despite the taboos they dare to challenge.
The primary problem with this premise is that Jones, by appearance, is not convincingly and consistently Eurasian. She overcomes some of this by her manner and speech.
As a fan of Holden, I cannot ignore a comparison with "Picnic", also released in 1955.
In both films, Holden is the outsider--a rebellious figure viewed with suspicion, a flaunter of community standards. But in "Picnic", Holden's character must struggle to overcome his own doubts, making the struggle more meaningful and central to his character's development.
In both films, there is a musical theme that is strong. In "Picnic", the theme is better used, an actual part of the action that links the two lovers together (through dance).
In "Picnic", the love scenes are electric, charged with passion and a hunger for what might be called salvation. In "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing", the kisses are sometimes passionate, sometimes lukewarm, perhaps due to the emotional distance between the two stars, well documented.
Though the love story in "Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing" can feel subordinate to the larger story of cultural differences, which is undeniably interesting, in "Picnic" the love story is what every element revolves around.
The primary problem with this premise is that Jones, by appearance, is not convincingly and consistently Eurasian. She overcomes some of this by her manner and speech.
As a fan of Holden, I cannot ignore a comparison with "Picnic", also released in 1955.
In both films, Holden is the outsider--a rebellious figure viewed with suspicion, a flaunter of community standards. But in "Picnic", Holden's character must struggle to overcome his own doubts, making the struggle more meaningful and central to his character's development.
In both films, there is a musical theme that is strong. In "Picnic", the theme is better used, an actual part of the action that links the two lovers together (through dance).
In "Picnic", the love scenes are electric, charged with passion and a hunger for what might be called salvation. In "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing", the kisses are sometimes passionate, sometimes lukewarm, perhaps due to the emotional distance between the two stars, well documented.
Though the love story in "Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing" can feel subordinate to the larger story of cultural differences, which is undeniably interesting, in "Picnic" the love story is what every element revolves around.