Philip Carey was an aspiring artist in Paris but it was clear that that profession was going nowhere so he returns to his native London where he starts training as a doctor. He soon falls for Mildred, a waitress who clearly isn't really interested in him. They go out on a few dates but soon she tells him that she is marrying another man. He starts getting on with his life and seeing another woman but when Mildred turns up, pregnant and claiming her husband left her Phillip starts looking after her. She doesn't treat him any better and is soon mocking him and flirting with his friends. Eventually it appears that he is over her and seeing the daughter of a friend
of course Mildred turns up like a bad penny and but this time he won't let her ruin his life; he'll help her but he won't love her; something that infuriates her.
This film is over eighty years old but it is still a difficult watch at times; not because it isn't a good story but because it is painful watching poor Phillip ruining his life pursuing a woman who holds him in contempt. The protagonists are interesting; a nice man self-conscious about his club foot and a thoroughly unpleasant woman. Leslie Howard does a fine job as the sympathetic Phillip but it is Bette Davis who dominates as Mildred, a character it is impossible to like with her barely concealed contempt for the man who keeps helping her. The supporting cast do a fine job. The ending is as one might expect for a film of the time but that isn't a problem. Overall I'd recommend this to fans of classic films but can't really say I enjoyed it as it is so hard to watch at times.
This film is over eighty years old but it is still a difficult watch at times; not because it isn't a good story but because it is painful watching poor Phillip ruining his life pursuing a woman who holds him in contempt. The protagonists are interesting; a nice man self-conscious about his club foot and a thoroughly unpleasant woman. Leslie Howard does a fine job as the sympathetic Phillip but it is Bette Davis who dominates as Mildred, a character it is impossible to like with her barely concealed contempt for the man who keeps helping her. The supporting cast do a fine job. The ending is as one might expect for a film of the time but that isn't a problem. Overall I'd recommend this to fans of classic films but can't really say I enjoyed it as it is so hard to watch at times.