Saved by Star Power
A British-based light romantic comedy,adapted from a stage play,INDISCREET is basically a gossamer-thin opus which is often constrained by it's theatrical origins,but is totally redeemed by the incomparable Cary Grant and the almost-as-incomparable Ingrid Bergman.The settings,story and characters are frightfully upper-middle class,an often resistible brew,but Grant's matchless skill as a light comedian and actor,allied with immense charm and ever-youthful handsomeness,and a surprisingly deft comic performance by Bergman,not at her peak of attractiveness but still striking in her early forties,give the sometimes under-nourished script a resonance it didn't really have.The result is a enjoyable and very pleasant hour and a half.It dosen't provoke guffaws or hearty roars of laughter,more a lengthy,admiring smile throughout it's running time,but this is not to it's detriment.Stanley Donen's direction is perfectly adequate,though a greater opening out and use of exterior scenes would have reduced the sometimes static quality of the narrative.The supporting cast consists of familiar British character actors like Cecil Parker,Megs Jenkins,Phyllis Calvert and David Kossoff,always welcome contributors and they add invaluably to the fun.But it is Grant and Bergman who carry the film all the way,also making a potentially maudlin final scene(despite ending rather abruptly)rather sweet and touching.score 7/10
BJJManchester 15 August 2006
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1449342/35288
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