When hearing of 'When Ladies Meet', it is hard not to feel excited and have good expectations for it. There are many talented people involved here, and with a cast featuring Joan Crawford, Greer Garson, Robert Taylor, Herbert Marshall and Spring Byington and seeing them in the same film who can't resist. Also have a love for films of the classic/golden era of Hollywood.
Seeing 'When Ladies Meet', it is definitely an above average and very watchable film. It also could have been better and was a little disappointing considering how good on paper the cast were and how interesting the concept was. Haven't seen the earlier 'When Ladies Meet' for a while, but do remember it being a better film with a superior cast and a much sharper and meatier script. Here's to hoping that that remains the same re-watching it, generally re-watches tend to be pretty much the same opinions wise, there are instances where a film is better on re-watch or one where it is hard to figure out what made me like it in the first place but not an awful lot.
A lot of great things. 'When Ladies Meet' was clearly made with elegance and polish, it looks very handsome in the costumes and sets and the film's beautifully shot. It's scored in a way that doesn't intrude yet makes its presence known when needed. The second half is better than the first, with the pacing tighter, the interaction sparkling more and the script more thought-provoking and sharper. The direction feels more assured too.
Greer Garson steals the show in 'When Ladies Meet', her natural charm truly shines and she and Joan Crawford, also very good, work very well together towards the end. Robert Taylor looks relaxed and confident, which to me has not always been the case and Spring Byington is delightfully funny in ditzy mode.
Unfortunately, Herbert Marshall, in a boorish role with underwritten dialogue and in no way suitable for a love interest (as you don't understand what can be seen in him), looks like he didn't want to be there and takes it too seriously without the light touch that the others had.
Also found the first half a bit lacking, with too much of a staid and taking-a-little-too-long-to-get-going approach to the storytelling, which wasn't as fresh or as interesting. The script is much sharper later and can be too lightweight and coarse in the early stages and not saying an awful lot illuminating. The direction didn't feel as natural as it did later, competent certainly but could have done with more spark.
In conclusion, decent and above average but was expecting more. 6/10 Bethany Cox
Seeing 'When Ladies Meet', it is definitely an above average and very watchable film. It also could have been better and was a little disappointing considering how good on paper the cast were and how interesting the concept was. Haven't seen the earlier 'When Ladies Meet' for a while, but do remember it being a better film with a superior cast and a much sharper and meatier script. Here's to hoping that that remains the same re-watching it, generally re-watches tend to be pretty much the same opinions wise, there are instances where a film is better on re-watch or one where it is hard to figure out what made me like it in the first place but not an awful lot.
A lot of great things. 'When Ladies Meet' was clearly made with elegance and polish, it looks very handsome in the costumes and sets and the film's beautifully shot. It's scored in a way that doesn't intrude yet makes its presence known when needed. The second half is better than the first, with the pacing tighter, the interaction sparkling more and the script more thought-provoking and sharper. The direction feels more assured too.
Greer Garson steals the show in 'When Ladies Meet', her natural charm truly shines and she and Joan Crawford, also very good, work very well together towards the end. Robert Taylor looks relaxed and confident, which to me has not always been the case and Spring Byington is delightfully funny in ditzy mode.
Unfortunately, Herbert Marshall, in a boorish role with underwritten dialogue and in no way suitable for a love interest (as you don't understand what can be seen in him), looks like he didn't want to be there and takes it too seriously without the light touch that the others had.
Also found the first half a bit lacking, with too much of a staid and taking-a-little-too-long-to-get-going approach to the storytelling, which wasn't as fresh or as interesting. The script is much sharper later and can be too lightweight and coarse in the early stages and not saying an awful lot illuminating. The direction didn't feel as natural as it did later, competent certainly but could have done with more spark.
In conclusion, decent and above average but was expecting more. 6/10 Bethany Cox