Sparkling as a Glass of Champagne; Dialogue, Romance and Intelligence
Stanley Donen made a habit of whipping up kind-hearted and lovely films, whether musicals or not. This is another well-centered film about people worth knowing. One is a famous actress, played charmingly by Ingrid Bergman; the other is a economics expert, unusually well-played by suave Cary Grant. The entire plot of the film made from a fine Norman Krasna play also sums up its theme: in this world you get what you deserve by being yourself. Grant saunters into Bergman's life; she falls in love with him. He tells her he's maritally unavailable, she ignores what he says, then finds out he is unmarried and completely available--and blames him for "having deceived her". So she stages a large charade to make him jealous, and he comes too soon, spoils the trick and asks her to marry him. I first saw the movie nearly 50 years ago at Radio City Music Hall; it is still an holiday favorite of mine. The play from which the delightful and only slightly-static screenplay was derived was "Kind Sir". Krasna adapted his own play winningly. Music was provided by Richard Rodney Bennett and Ken Jones; art direction was by Don Ashton, cinematography by Frederick Young. In addition to the principals, the fine cast included Cecil Parker, Phyllis Calvert, Megs Jenkins and David Kossoff. The unusual quality of the piece lies in its never looking like a play; instead the skilled performers bring the characters to life before one's eyes. I find the film leisurely in an adult, relaxed sort of way which invites the viewer into the character's minds so that one learns of progress, disappointment or unexpected agreement along with them. The superior dialogue sparkles; and the sense of important lives being lived with some intelligence is a welcome change from the content of most films, then and especially since 1958. Moviegoers need to thank Stanley Donen for yet another cinematic delight.score 8/10
silverscreen888 6 July 2005
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1120491/35288
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