I should have loved this film. I really like many of the cast; Ruth Hussey, Charles Coburn, Bonita Granville, and Van Heflin, so I had high expectations. I think my problem with the movie are the two main characters; Robert Young and Hedy Lamar seem miscast.
Maybe because I grew up on Father Knows Best and Marcus Welby, but I have a very difficult time buying Robert Young in other roles. He just doesn't have a lot of charisma with Hedy Lamar, as he didn't with the three leading ladies in They Won't Believe Me.
Hedy Lamar's character bothered me too. Her ridiculous name of Marvin and her accent, without explanation (her "people" settled in Illinois?) were a needless distraction. If the two main characters were played by an actor and actress with more on screen sizzle I think I would have stuck with the movie until the end.
After thinking about it a bit I beleive that Jimmy Stewart or Cary Grant in Robert Young's role, and Barbara Stanwyk in Hedy Lamar's role would have made for a better film. And for Pete's sake, change her name to a feminine one! As it was I fell asleep during the part where Marvin (Marvin!) dumps Harry. 6 stars from me.
Maybe because I grew up on Father Knows Best and Marcus Welby, but I have a very difficult time buying Robert Young in other roles. He just doesn't have a lot of charisma with Hedy Lamar, as he didn't with the three leading ladies in They Won't Believe Me.
Hedy Lamar's character bothered me too. Her ridiculous name of Marvin and her accent, without explanation (her "people" settled in Illinois?) were a needless distraction. If the two main characters were played by an actor and actress with more on screen sizzle I think I would have stuck with the movie until the end.
After thinking about it a bit I beleive that Jimmy Stewart or Cary Grant in Robert Young's role, and Barbara Stanwyk in Hedy Lamar's role would have made for a better film. And for Pete's sake, change her name to a feminine one! As it was I fell asleep during the part where Marvin (Marvin!) dumps Harry. 6 stars from me.