When I realized Johnny Belinda was going to be a film about a doctor who was reaching out to a deaf/mute girl, I was instantly connected with the story in an emotional way. Seeing the development of her character was marvelous, and Jane Wyman did an amazing job with the role. I also loved that they didn't have Charles Bickford play the typical heartless redneck, but he proved to be a loving father who actually celebrated his daughter's advancement. It made sense that the rest of the community might be slower to accept her as anything more than a simpleton, since all of these ideas were new at the time, and only her family were able to work with the doctor to learn some sign language.
The story of Johnny Belinda is a tough one to take, because this movie doesn't shy away from some darker moments. While we don't have to see the awful details, we get close enough to let our imaginations fill in the gaps. I had quite the emotional journey as I went from delighted with some of the story to appalled by other parts. I also had a tough time trying to unravel the doctor as a character. Lew Ayres plays him well, and I certainly liked him, but his role in the film was an enigma. The ending felt wrong for some reason, as if a studio mandated a certain ending that wasn't congruous with the rest of the film up to that point. Aside from some minor issues like that, I was fully captivated by Johnny Belinda even when it was tough to watch.
The story of Johnny Belinda is a tough one to take, because this movie doesn't shy away from some darker moments. While we don't have to see the awful details, we get close enough to let our imaginations fill in the gaps. I had quite the emotional journey as I went from delighted with some of the story to appalled by other parts. I also had a tough time trying to unravel the doctor as a character. Lew Ayres plays him well, and I certainly liked him, but his role in the film was an enigma. The ending felt wrong for some reason, as if a studio mandated a certain ending that wasn't congruous with the rest of the film up to that point. Aside from some minor issues like that, I was fully captivated by Johnny Belinda even when it was tough to watch.