My title is a quote from Maria Salvatini(Francoise Rosay), said to her piano student Manina Stuart(Joan Fontaine), in trying to induce her to face up to the fact that, by pretending to have died in an oceanic airplane crash, along with her recent lover, David Lawrence(Joseph Cotton), so as to start their adult lives anew, they are just fooling themselves, and creating much grief and trouble for their family and associates, except for Maria, who reluctantly agrees to keep quite. David was the primary advocate of this absurd deception, and Manina was a sucker to fall for it(putting it harshly). David was straightforward in that he was married(though unhappily), with a college-age son. Seems David was also temporarily burned out with his demanding work schedule. He and his wife had lost whatever magic used to be in their marriage.
At the time Maria made this statement, Manina didn't agree. But when Mrs. Lawrence and son made a visit to Maria to find out why David had sent her a large check, Manina happened to be present. She was favorably impressed with them then, and during a later visit. This started Maria thinking that this woman didn't seem so bad, after all. She began to feel more guilty about their deception. On the other hand, Mrs. Lawrence began to feel guilty that she had refused to give David a divorce, since Manina seemed like a nice woman. As a result, Mrs. Lawrence writes a note to David saying she will start divorce proceedings soon. Manina ends the affair in the US, saying she is going to Rio, then presumably back to Italy. But we are left wondering whether Mrs. Lawrence will go through with the divorce. What it amounted to was an illicit romantic, sexual, and touring vacation. I can't believe that, during her 12 years in Italy, Manina hadn't already experienced most of these cities, which included Naples, Pompeii, Capri, and Florence. These tours are pretty superficial and in B&W, which is a turn off for today's people.
The theme song: "September Song", was introduced in a Broadway play in 1938. It's inclusion in this film renewed it's popularity such that it toped the pop music charts for a while. Parts are played in the background periodically. In addition, 2 full vocal renditions are included, one a recording, the 2nd a live rendition by Jimmy Lydon.
The actors were all good. Cotton came across as a real engineer. Joan was adequate, if not spectacular. Jessica Tandy was good as Mrs. Lawrence, and Robert Arthur as David,Jr..
On the whole, it's pretty dated because of the silly plot and B&W cinematography. But, if interested, presently available on YouTube
At the time Maria made this statement, Manina didn't agree. But when Mrs. Lawrence and son made a visit to Maria to find out why David had sent her a large check, Manina happened to be present. She was favorably impressed with them then, and during a later visit. This started Maria thinking that this woman didn't seem so bad, after all. She began to feel more guilty about their deception. On the other hand, Mrs. Lawrence began to feel guilty that she had refused to give David a divorce, since Manina seemed like a nice woman. As a result, Mrs. Lawrence writes a note to David saying she will start divorce proceedings soon. Manina ends the affair in the US, saying she is going to Rio, then presumably back to Italy. But we are left wondering whether Mrs. Lawrence will go through with the divorce. What it amounted to was an illicit romantic, sexual, and touring vacation. I can't believe that, during her 12 years in Italy, Manina hadn't already experienced most of these cities, which included Naples, Pompeii, Capri, and Florence. These tours are pretty superficial and in B&W, which is a turn off for today's people.
The theme song: "September Song", was introduced in a Broadway play in 1938. It's inclusion in this film renewed it's popularity such that it toped the pop music charts for a while. Parts are played in the background periodically. In addition, 2 full vocal renditions are included, one a recording, the 2nd a live rendition by Jimmy Lydon.
The actors were all good. Cotton came across as a real engineer. Joan was adequate, if not spectacular. Jessica Tandy was good as Mrs. Lawrence, and Robert Arthur as David,Jr..
On the whole, it's pretty dated because of the silly plot and B&W cinematography. But, if interested, presently available on YouTube