Movies like this are never a reflection of real life, and they should never be considered a reflection of life in any era. The point is that they packed the audiences in, and if they didn't appeal today, people wouldn't be hunting for them. Classic literature and film is truly engaging when it shows people sacrificing for love and happiness in a way that their neighbors would probably disapprove of but secretly want for themselves. This is a remake of an already classic film made ten years prior, and it's ironic that that versions star, Irene Dunne, appeared in two films with this version's male lead (Charles Boyer) just two years prior.
An exquisitely dressed Margaret Sullavan takes over Dunne's part here, and she shows her independence early on by slapping Frank McHugh across the face for his inappropriate behavior. However when she meets Boyer right after, she is immediately charmed by him, and their love is a foregone conclusion. He's later married, ending up unhappily of course, and by honor and the code of the times must stay with his wife. Boyer and Sullavan are reunited five years later, and their love by now is too strong to blame on missed paddle boats.
You get to see Boyer and Sullavan setting up house with her being kicked out of Cecil Cunningham's home and moving into the house owned by a gregarious heavyset woman (Kitty O'Neil) who obviously knows what's going on and doesn't disapprove. exchange between her and McHugh is hysterical. Sadly though the holidays are all very lonely for Sullavan as social obligations keeps Boyer away from her, but she certainly didn't want to spend it with her ornery stepmother (Esther Dale, stuck playing another one of her opinionated buddies). The looks on Boyer's face though indicate that he is thinking of her.
This story works because it's like a novel with it series of chapters of the sequences in their life, showing Sullavan watching as Boyer rises in success and power, dealing with his now grown children and the ultimate conclusion. The two stars who also appeared in "Appointment With Love" the same year have tremendous chemistry, and are surrounded by a terrific ensemble of character actors mixing the drama with subtle comedy and a romance that no matter how hard it is on Sullavan isn't something she can easily end. It's obvious that she'd rather have 50% of him than no percent of him at all, and that makes this a love story for the ages.
An exquisitely dressed Margaret Sullavan takes over Dunne's part here, and she shows her independence early on by slapping Frank McHugh across the face for his inappropriate behavior. However when she meets Boyer right after, she is immediately charmed by him, and their love is a foregone conclusion. He's later married, ending up unhappily of course, and by honor and the code of the times must stay with his wife. Boyer and Sullavan are reunited five years later, and their love by now is too strong to blame on missed paddle boats.
You get to see Boyer and Sullavan setting up house with her being kicked out of Cecil Cunningham's home and moving into the house owned by a gregarious heavyset woman (Kitty O'Neil) who obviously knows what's going on and doesn't disapprove. exchange between her and McHugh is hysterical. Sadly though the holidays are all very lonely for Sullavan as social obligations keeps Boyer away from her, but she certainly didn't want to spend it with her ornery stepmother (Esther Dale, stuck playing another one of her opinionated buddies). The looks on Boyer's face though indicate that he is thinking of her.
This story works because it's like a novel with it series of chapters of the sequences in their life, showing Sullavan watching as Boyer rises in success and power, dealing with his now grown children and the ultimate conclusion. The two stars who also appeared in "Appointment With Love" the same year have tremendous chemistry, and are surrounded by a terrific ensemble of character actors mixing the drama with subtle comedy and a romance that no matter how hard it is on Sullavan isn't something she can easily end. It's obvious that she'd rather have 50% of him than no percent of him at all, and that makes this a love story for the ages.