As this film opens successful businessman Samuel Dodsworth sells the car company he founded. With his wife, Fran, he plans an extended trip to Europe. Soon after they set sail aboard the, then new, Queen Mary, it becomes apparent that they want different things in life. While she flirts with Captain Lockert, a young Englishman, he befriends American expat Edith Cortright, who lives in Naples. Following a 'misunderstanding' with Lockert, Fran insists they bypass England and head to France. It soon becomes obvious that their marriage is in real trouble.
I thought this was a pretty solid film. The characters felt real and managed to be sympathetic; it was easy to understand why the Dodsworths were drifting apart even if one party was more to blame than the other. The cast is impressive; Walter Huston is solid as Sam Dodsworth as is Mary Astor as Edith. However for me Ruth Chatterton stood out as Fran, a less likeable character who is overly concerned about growing older. It was fun to see David Niven appear in an early roll a Lockert. Sets and locations are good; one could be forgiven for thinking it was shot on location in Europe rather than in America. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to fans of older films; it may not be full of action but the characters feel real.
I thought this was a pretty solid film. The characters felt real and managed to be sympathetic; it was easy to understand why the Dodsworths were drifting apart even if one party was more to blame than the other. The cast is impressive; Walter Huston is solid as Sam Dodsworth as is Mary Astor as Edith. However for me Ruth Chatterton stood out as Fran, a less likeable character who is overly concerned about growing older. It was fun to see David Niven appear in an early roll a Lockert. Sets and locations are good; one could be forgiven for thinking it was shot on location in Europe rather than in America. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to fans of older films; it may not be full of action but the characters feel real.