Considering that this is a glossy MGM production starring Katharine Hepburn, Robert Taylor and Robert Mitchum, it's certainly well worth watching as it can't help but be very good. However, the film, at times, seems a bit hard to believe. If you can turn off that nagging voice that questions a few directions the plot takes, then you're bound to really enjoy this film. Plus, even with a few minor plot problems, it's a good picture.
The film begins with Hepburn playing her father's assistant and caretaker. She's a bit shy around men and a little insecure. So, when a rich and immensely successful man (Taylor) falls for her, she keeps doubting herself and thinks he could have chosen better. But, during all of the first half of the film, he seems like an almost perfect husband--caring and kind. However, slowly through the course of the movie, he shows hints that he isn't as sweet and good as he's appeared.
The first time you see this dark side of Taylor is when his estranged brother (Mitchum) is mentioned. When Hepburn asks him innocent questions about him, Taylor oddly lashes out at her. And, the more he reacts this way, the more curious she becomes--wondering what happened between them. There is MUCH more to the story than this...and it gets very, very dark in the last moments of the film. However, I don't want to say more--it would spoil the film.
The best thing about this movie is the evocative mood throughout. The combination of excellent direction, music and cinematography makes for a very brooding film--a mood that is actually better than the sum of all its parts. Plus, if you are a curious psychology major, you may enjoy seeing Taylor's character who appears to be a combination of someone dealing with Paranoid Schizophrenia and an Antisocial Personality Disorder. This means that while he may act very normal almost all the time, there is an undercurrent of insanity and persecution. And, since he has a lack of conscience, he is capable of doing anything if he thinks he can get away with it! A scary combination and a nice film--even though, occasionally, it seems a tad overdone.
By the way, at one point in the film, Hepburn is supposed to be right on the Virginia coastline. However, it's obviously NOT Virginia to anyone who knows the state--as the cliffs and rocky shoreline are obviously on the West Coast.
The film begins with Hepburn playing her father's assistant and caretaker. She's a bit shy around men and a little insecure. So, when a rich and immensely successful man (Taylor) falls for her, she keeps doubting herself and thinks he could have chosen better. But, during all of the first half of the film, he seems like an almost perfect husband--caring and kind. However, slowly through the course of the movie, he shows hints that he isn't as sweet and good as he's appeared.
The first time you see this dark side of Taylor is when his estranged brother (Mitchum) is mentioned. When Hepburn asks him innocent questions about him, Taylor oddly lashes out at her. And, the more he reacts this way, the more curious she becomes--wondering what happened between them. There is MUCH more to the story than this...and it gets very, very dark in the last moments of the film. However, I don't want to say more--it would spoil the film.
The best thing about this movie is the evocative mood throughout. The combination of excellent direction, music and cinematography makes for a very brooding film--a mood that is actually better than the sum of all its parts. Plus, if you are a curious psychology major, you may enjoy seeing Taylor's character who appears to be a combination of someone dealing with Paranoid Schizophrenia and an Antisocial Personality Disorder. This means that while he may act very normal almost all the time, there is an undercurrent of insanity and persecution. And, since he has a lack of conscience, he is capable of doing anything if he thinks he can get away with it! A scary combination and a nice film--even though, occasionally, it seems a tad overdone.
By the way, at one point in the film, Hepburn is supposed to be right on the Virginia coastline. However, it's obviously NOT Virginia to anyone who knows the state--as the cliffs and rocky shoreline are obviously on the West Coast.