Reynolds' character is too obnoxious "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" is a generally enjoyable film, though you need to understand that like most Hollywood films of yesterday, great liberties were taken with the facts. In other words, if you want a true account of the life of Molly Brown, you might want to look elsewhere.
The film begins with Molly as a child. She is washed away by a flood, but being unsinkable, she manages to pull herself to safety. The story is set in Colorado, where she grew up a rough and tumble tom-boy. However, despite being VERY unladylike, she had a dream of one day living in a fine house, with a brass bed, a warm fireplace and all the niceties money can buy. When Mr. Brown falls for her, the rather mercenary Molly insists she won't marry any man who can't provide her with all these things....and he does. Soon (and only in a Hollywood film can it be THIS soon), Mr. Brown is very, very, very rich and his wife has many, many things....but she is still unhappy because she doesn't fit in with society. So, she sets off very determined to go off to Europe to refine herself and make friends with royalty. Well, she does....but somehow in the process she ends up losing what is really important--though in real life, no such realization and reconciliation ever actually occurred.
The film is VERY bouncy and, at times, quite fun. Debbie Reynolds throws herself into the role and it's one of her best. As for poor Mr. Brown, Harve Presnell was GREAT. He really, really sang beautifully and it's sad he never really became a household name. And, the film is pretty good. However, there was one weakness that prevented the movie from being any better--the leading character was unbelievably selfish and hard to like--especially as the film progressed. Maybe this was just me--but that detracted a bit from the overall production. Still, it's worth seeing despite this.
The film begins with Molly as a child. She is washed away by a flood, but being unsinkable, she manages to pull herself to safety. The story is set in Colorado, where she grew up a rough and tumble tom-boy. However, despite being VERY unladylike, she had a dream of one day living in a fine house, with a brass bed, a warm fireplace and all the niceties money can buy. When Mr. Brown falls for her, the rather mercenary Molly insists she won't marry any man who can't provide her with all these things....and he does. Soon (and only in a Hollywood film can it be THIS soon), Mr. Brown is very, very, very rich and his wife has many, many things....but she is still unhappy because she doesn't fit in with society. So, she sets off very determined to go off to Europe to refine herself and make friends with royalty. Well, she does....but somehow in the process she ends up losing what is really important--though in real life, no such realization and reconciliation ever actually occurred.
The film is VERY bouncy and, at times, quite fun. Debbie Reynolds throws herself into the role and it's one of her best. As for poor Mr. Brown, Harve Presnell was GREAT. He really, really sang beautifully and it's sad he never really became a household name. And, the film is pretty good. However, there was one weakness that prevented the movie from being any better--the leading character was unbelievably selfish and hard to like--especially as the film progressed. Maybe this was just me--but that detracted a bit from the overall production. Still, it's worth seeing despite this.