The premise is one I have thought about on several occasions--is it okay to kill a person since that person is essentially selfish and evil? And, if you say yes, can it be done in a way where you can get away with it and live with yourself? Well, the movie examines these questions though at the very end the film seems to back-peddle a bit and supplies a very contrived ending.
Lionel Barrymore is in top form in this film. Always an exceptional actor, he's younger and more vigorous here and so you see him doing more and being more action-oriented than usual. His daughter is planning on marrying a thorough cad (played by the perfect cad, Alan Mowbray). Despite Barrymore pleading with her and the awful fiancé, they are determined to marry. So, Barrymore tells Mowbray that if Mowbray doesn't change his plans, that he will murder him! You'd think this would be enough to convince the evil husband-to-be to change his plans but he doesn't. Considering just how perverted and selfish Mowbray is, you really are cheering Barrymore on when he commits the seemingly perfect murder. However, as Hollywood was loathe to condone murder (even when the guy is scum through and through), they create a neat but ultimately unsatisfying ending that never actually answers the question about the justification for murder. The acting and idea are excellent--the wimpy ending isn't and tends to blunt the entire experience.
Lionel Barrymore is in top form in this film. Always an exceptional actor, he's younger and more vigorous here and so you see him doing more and being more action-oriented than usual. His daughter is planning on marrying a thorough cad (played by the perfect cad, Alan Mowbray). Despite Barrymore pleading with her and the awful fiancé, they are determined to marry. So, Barrymore tells Mowbray that if Mowbray doesn't change his plans, that he will murder him! You'd think this would be enough to convince the evil husband-to-be to change his plans but he doesn't. Considering just how perverted and selfish Mowbray is, you really are cheering Barrymore on when he commits the seemingly perfect murder. However, as Hollywood was loathe to condone murder (even when the guy is scum through and through), they create a neat but ultimately unsatisfying ending that never actually answers the question about the justification for murder. The acting and idea are excellent--the wimpy ending isn't and tends to blunt the entire experience.