If ever a film had a split personality it is Forever Darling. The script dated to about 1940 and was considered for Powell/Loy and Tracey/Hepburn. It is much easier to see those more sophisticated pairings in this material than Arnaz & Ball.
The first two-thirds of the film is a talkie attempt at a High Society comedy, complete with a society reporter and others society types who appear briefly. Relaying on her wide-ranging talents of her early roles, Miss Ball seems quite comfortable portraying an Up Scale wife and I even bought into Arnaz as a scientist. But the script can't decide if this is supposed to be a semi-serious discussion of marriage issues. Certainly there are few laughs here and few seem intended.
Things really go off the rails with the introduction of Ball's Guardian Angel. Compared to a long list of outstanding portrayals of other-worldly beings by the likes of Cary Grant or Ray Ralston, viewers may feel Lucy is merely talking to a cardboard cutout of James Mason, who says little and emotes less. Lucy's session with her shrink becomes cringe-worthy when it is suggested Lucy has a sexual obsession with the real James Mason. Maybe this could have worked with Grant or Rock Hudson cast as the Angel. Maybe not.
Once the film moves outdoors to Yosemite National Park, one feels the final reels got switched and we are watching a totally different film. The camping trip sequence, ghost written by the I Love Lucy writers, is a funny, madcap adventure, more a standalone Color episode of that classic series or their previous hit, The Long, Long Trailer. Unfortunately, the success of the final slapstick only emphasizes the failure of the rest of this film.
The first two-thirds of the film is a talkie attempt at a High Society comedy, complete with a society reporter and others society types who appear briefly. Relaying on her wide-ranging talents of her early roles, Miss Ball seems quite comfortable portraying an Up Scale wife and I even bought into Arnaz as a scientist. But the script can't decide if this is supposed to be a semi-serious discussion of marriage issues. Certainly there are few laughs here and few seem intended.
Things really go off the rails with the introduction of Ball's Guardian Angel. Compared to a long list of outstanding portrayals of other-worldly beings by the likes of Cary Grant or Ray Ralston, viewers may feel Lucy is merely talking to a cardboard cutout of James Mason, who says little and emotes less. Lucy's session with her shrink becomes cringe-worthy when it is suggested Lucy has a sexual obsession with the real James Mason. Maybe this could have worked with Grant or Rock Hudson cast as the Angel. Maybe not.
Once the film moves outdoors to Yosemite National Park, one feels the final reels got switched and we are watching a totally different film. The camping trip sequence, ghost written by the I Love Lucy writers, is a funny, madcap adventure, more a standalone Color episode of that classic series or their previous hit, The Long, Long Trailer. Unfortunately, the success of the final slapstick only emphasizes the failure of the rest of this film.