William Wyler's 1936 adaptation of Sinclair Lewis' Dodsworth is a rather adult story of what happens when a married couple reaches the point where they are retired and their kids are all grown up, but I'm not sure it's an entirely balanced one. The author seems to side with Mr. Dodsworth, painting the Mrs. as a vain society snob, selfishly cruel in a way that makes it hard for me to fathom why all the men fall at her feet. Mr. Dodsworth's faults contribute to the marriage's decay, but seem benign in comparison. Or at least, more subtle. He's a bit dull, entirely unafraid of domesticity, all of which is a turn-off for a wife afraid to grow older. Had Mrs. Dodsworth been less of a jerk, Wyler might have gotten away with making her a tragic figure, and I think the audience might have come out of it more fairly divided (according to each person's experience). But she's clearly the villain, and deserves her lumps, and that perhaps robs the piece of that extra layer of emotional complexity it otherwise seems to be driving at.
My pet peeve about old Hollywood is its hyperbolic sense of romance, with everyone falling in forever-love after knowing each other a day and all that starry-eyed garbage. Boy, was this refreshing in comparison.
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Comments 1 - 11 of 11
acoltismypassport
A great tale of a hypergamous trollop. Fantastically well done, and highly enjoyable.dpka
Good job Sam, it took a long time but you find your way out.Siskoid
William Wyler's 1936 adaptation of Sinclair Lewis' Dodsworth is a rather adult story of what happens when a married couple reaches the point where they are retired and their kids are all grown up, but I'm not sure it's an entirely balanced one. The author seems to side with Mr. Dodsworth, painting the Mrs. as a vain society snob, selfishly cruel in a way that makes it hard for me to fathom why all the men fall at her feet. Mr. Dodsworth's faults contribute to the marriage's decay, but seem benign in comparison. Or at least, more subtle. He's a bit dull, entirely unafraid of domesticity, all of which is a turn-off for a wife afraid to grow older. Had Mrs. Dodsworth been less of a jerk, Wyler might have gotten away with making her a tragic figure, and I think the audience might have come out of it more fairly divided (according to each person's experience). But she's clearly the villain, and deserves her lumps, and that perhaps robs the piece of that extra layer of emotional complexity it otherwise seems to be driving at.benhere
This simple, straightforward film becomes more brilliant every time I see it.Nowhere Man
Fran is such a vile, despicable strumpet that is is difficult to watch this film with enjoyment.Ebbywebby
My pet peeve about old Hollywood is its hyperbolic sense of romance, with everyone falling in forever-love after knowing each other a day and all that starry-eyed garbage. Boy, was this refreshing in comparison.AndrewB
-1flb2-
I enjoyed this movie. Nice guys don't always finish last!jacktrewin
fantastically simple story with real powerLimbesdautomne
Nice "roomsurfing" romance. The American way of life & divorce.Read more in French on La Saveur des goûts amers.
Dieguito
How a simple cheating and divorce could the audience those days.. Old times love story