I had difficulty getting through this movie. I love these old Black and Whites. However, I am not a big fan of either Mr Holden nor Ms Kerr.
Both of them kinda rubbed me the wrong way in this movie. Mr Holden ( Colonel Black) is part Blackfoot Indian, and is not at all proud of his heritage. He is also uncouth, abusive, inhumane. He hated his parents because they were poor hardworking people.
Ms Kerr (Lee), a Red Cross worker, was not convincing as either a Red Cross worker or as Colonel Black's lover. Even in her Red Cross uniform, she looked like she was prepped for a photo op. But, surprise! She wasn't there to be a Red Cross worker anyway. She was there to find out what was going through her husband's head the day he was killed in Guadalcanal, and if he died courageously. Weird. But she falls in love with the irresistible (sarcasm) Colonel. One wonders how such a delicate woman, who was married to a delicate man, falls in love with a brute.
Thelma Ritter (Kate), the supervisor of the Red Cross canteen, did not disappoint. She was the lovable, charming and charismatic character as always. She is delightful to watch.
In the end, we do see Lee buckle down and do some real Red Cross work.
This movie did not meet my expectations at all. I thought with two of the best of the best of actors back in those days, this movie would touch some emotion in me. It didn't. The lead actors had no on screen chemistry. They just seemed to be going through the motions. They shared one kiss in the movie and they looked like statues. There was no passion. This is a contrived and unromantic "love" story.
Both of them kinda rubbed me the wrong way in this movie. Mr Holden ( Colonel Black) is part Blackfoot Indian, and is not at all proud of his heritage. He is also uncouth, abusive, inhumane. He hated his parents because they were poor hardworking people.
Ms Kerr (Lee), a Red Cross worker, was not convincing as either a Red Cross worker or as Colonel Black's lover. Even in her Red Cross uniform, she looked like she was prepped for a photo op. But, surprise! She wasn't there to be a Red Cross worker anyway. She was there to find out what was going through her husband's head the day he was killed in Guadalcanal, and if he died courageously. Weird. But she falls in love with the irresistible (sarcasm) Colonel. One wonders how such a delicate woman, who was married to a delicate man, falls in love with a brute.
Thelma Ritter (Kate), the supervisor of the Red Cross canteen, did not disappoint. She was the lovable, charming and charismatic character as always. She is delightful to watch.
In the end, we do see Lee buckle down and do some real Red Cross work.
This movie did not meet my expectations at all. I thought with two of the best of the best of actors back in those days, this movie would touch some emotion in me. It didn't. The lead actors had no on screen chemistry. They just seemed to be going through the motions. They shared one kiss in the movie and they looked like statues. There was no passion. This is a contrived and unromantic "love" story.