High-quality tear-jerker, part written and solely directed by Leo McCarey and one he revisited twenty years or so later with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr in "An Affair To Remember", a film I've not seen, but which like a number of later remakes seems to be better remembered than the original. One day I'll watch the latter but would say from what I've seen here, it will be hard-pushed to beat this first version.
A film like this stands or falls on the chemistry between the two leads and rest assured we're on solid foundations here. Irene Dunne is charming with just enough independence and savvy to prevent her character caving into a simpering caricature, likewise Charles Boyer as the dashing, handsome playboy she encounters on a cruise ship taking each of them back to their respective engaged partners back in New York.
Boyer's French Lothario's reputation obviously precedes him on the boat as women throw themselves at him and then when he rebuffs them, seem to stalk his every move on board. When he accidentally encounters Dunne's initially uninterested fellow-passenger, you won't be surprised to learn that cinematic coincidence brings them together enough times for sparks to finally fly between them, the deal being sealed over a visit to Boyer's aged piano-playing grandmother who seems to live in what seems like a fairy grotto and who gives them her fairy-godmother-type blessing to marry.
Naturally there are a couple of affianced complications to get over first so they make a plan to meet atop the Empire State Building six months hence when they will be free to wed, all of which goes awry when Dunne looks up at the wrong time. At this point, the film almost teeters over into over-sentimentality as Dunne recuperates while taking on a job teaching music to young children with Christmas fast approaching and the question arises as to whether true love will conquer all, suffice it to say in a New York Minute things change...
Boyer and Dunne turn in mature, assured performances and are skilfully directed by McCarey in yet another quality production from Hollywood's golden year of 1939.
A film like this stands or falls on the chemistry between the two leads and rest assured we're on solid foundations here. Irene Dunne is charming with just enough independence and savvy to prevent her character caving into a simpering caricature, likewise Charles Boyer as the dashing, handsome playboy she encounters on a cruise ship taking each of them back to their respective engaged partners back in New York.
Boyer's French Lothario's reputation obviously precedes him on the boat as women throw themselves at him and then when he rebuffs them, seem to stalk his every move on board. When he accidentally encounters Dunne's initially uninterested fellow-passenger, you won't be surprised to learn that cinematic coincidence brings them together enough times for sparks to finally fly between them, the deal being sealed over a visit to Boyer's aged piano-playing grandmother who seems to live in what seems like a fairy grotto and who gives them her fairy-godmother-type blessing to marry.
Naturally there are a couple of affianced complications to get over first so they make a plan to meet atop the Empire State Building six months hence when they will be free to wed, all of which goes awry when Dunne looks up at the wrong time. At this point, the film almost teeters over into over-sentimentality as Dunne recuperates while taking on a job teaching music to young children with Christmas fast approaching and the question arises as to whether true love will conquer all, suffice it to say in a New York Minute things change...
Boyer and Dunne turn in mature, assured performances and are skilfully directed by McCarey in yet another quality production from Hollywood's golden year of 1939.