The lead (37 when the movie was made) is obviously too old for the part.He is gauche,clumsy,nothing of a working class hero.He's supposed to be clever and educated but we do not feel it.Fortunately the supporting cast is up to scratch ,with a superb Bette Davis at her bitchiest.It's a wonder she can be seduced by such an oaf.
Marvin is a smart young man who knows that the way to get out of poverty in the cotton fields is education.Note that his dad passes away as he is reading an article in a newspaper which advocates the right of peoples to education ,be they rich or poor ..
During all the movie,Marvin will be caught in the crossfire: his boss,a land owner(Madge's (Davis) father),after laughing when Marvin's father tells him his sonny wants to study quickly understands the whiz kid could be a marvelous informer.When the young man becomes a gentleman ,the tenants feel they are betrayed by one of them..
Curtiz superbly places side by side the two worlds during Betty's and Madge's parties.Marvin is ill-at-ease in both.In Betty's house ,he has become out of place in his Sunday's best.In Madge's desirable mansion,during the ball with a jazz band (that costs a arm and a leg,as Marvin tells to his brothers in his final speech), those vulgar popular dances are held up to ridicule by the wealthy man's daughter's guests.
The conclusion is the reconciliation between capital and labor (the cooperation) a la "Metropolis" where Marvin is the arbitrator.
Curtiz never forgot to tell a story and this old film,despite the reservation expressed about the male lead,can still grab today's audience.Anyway,the numerous Davis' fans would not like to miss one of her early films.
Marvin is a smart young man who knows that the way to get out of poverty in the cotton fields is education.Note that his dad passes away as he is reading an article in a newspaper which advocates the right of peoples to education ,be they rich or poor ..
During all the movie,Marvin will be caught in the crossfire: his boss,a land owner(Madge's (Davis) father),after laughing when Marvin's father tells him his sonny wants to study quickly understands the whiz kid could be a marvelous informer.When the young man becomes a gentleman ,the tenants feel they are betrayed by one of them..
Curtiz superbly places side by side the two worlds during Betty's and Madge's parties.Marvin is ill-at-ease in both.In Betty's house ,he has become out of place in his Sunday's best.In Madge's desirable mansion,during the ball with a jazz band (that costs a arm and a leg,as Marvin tells to his brothers in his final speech), those vulgar popular dances are held up to ridicule by the wealthy man's daughter's guests.
The conclusion is the reconciliation between capital and labor (the cooperation) a la "Metropolis" where Marvin is the arbitrator.
Curtiz never forgot to tell a story and this old film,despite the reservation expressed about the male lead,can still grab today's audience.Anyway,the numerous Davis' fans would not like to miss one of her early films.