The genius of both Ingrid Bergman and Gregg Toland, both on ample display here, are the only sensible reasons to watch this code crippled meller. God, how I hate these Hays Office jobs where a swim in the adultery pool means instant wallowing and flailing in a tub of misery until the sin is renounced. And I use the phrase "tub of misery" advisedly for in George O'Neill's script and Gregory Ratoff's direction any joy is as fleeting as summer in Stockholm while remorse, guilt and gloom are all enveloping. Lost count of how many pained smiles Leslie Howard and Bergman exchange or how many tears flow down the lovely Swede's cheek. And when Howard's kid gets hit by a truck while running toward him I started to laugh. Maybe it was the image of Joe Breen going, "Take that, you sinners!" C plus.
PS...Was Max Steiner on bennies, or what? This has to be the most over scored movie I've ever heard. I mean, I realize this is a film about musicians but could you soft peddle it a little, Max?
PS...Was Max Steiner on bennies, or what? This has to be the most over scored movie I've ever heard. I mean, I realize this is a film about musicians but could you soft peddle it a little, Max?