Granted, this movie is somewhat entertaining. Russell & Carson perform admirably, but there is something definitely missing in the screenplay. Perhaps depth of character. I never feel that I really understand the people portrayed in the film. The same year, the fantastic "Mildred Pierce" was released, also directed by Curtiz, and that film provides its leads with some of the "meatiest" roles of that year. Carson excels in that film, whereas his "Speaking" character just appears to drift in a one-note fashion, from one set piece to the next.
Russell's "Louise" is stalwart, to be sure, but also somewhat blindly perky, and hardly an early women's rights activist, as some would declare.
I suggest renting both "Pierce" and "Speaking" as a Curtiz double-feature, and witness just how essential strong source material is, in producing a truly successful film.
Russell's "Louise" is stalwart, to be sure, but also somewhat blindly perky, and hardly an early women's rights activist, as some would declare.
I suggest renting both "Pierce" and "Speaking" as a Curtiz double-feature, and witness just how essential strong source material is, in producing a truly successful film.