Am a great fan of "classic" film, and films made in "The Golden Age". While George Brent has always been hit and miss for me, Bette Davis has always been wholly deserving of her legendary reputation and director Edmund Goulding directed her to great effect in 'The Old Maid' and 'Dark Victory'. Have liked a good deal of other Mary Astor performances and Hattie McDaniel and Lucile Watson were always watchable regardless of the overall quality of the film.
'The Great Lie' is very impressive in many areas and did find myself liking and enjoying it a lot. Considering what it had going for it, part of me was also a little disappointed and thought that 'The Great Lie' could have been even better than it turned out. Instead of the great film it could easily have been, it was instead good to very good with great elements. It represents Goulding, Davis (do prefer the mentioned films of theirs), composer Max Steiner and especially Astor are well represented. Have seen a lot better from Brent though.
Will agree that the story is often implausible and in particularly credibility-straining parts truly ridiculous and some strands from another happen too fast. As can be the case with melodramas, parts of the script lay it on a little too thick on the soap.
Brent is for my tastes rather bland in a pretty colourless part.
Davis however is great. Not quite one of her finest performances, but she is beautifully retrained while very much engaged with the increasing intensifying drama, as the intensity increases she increasingly pulls out all the stops. McDaniel and Watson shine in support in roles perfect for them and ones they always played very well. Best of all is Astor, who is brilliant. While she was a fine actress, did find myself being amazed at how much ruthlessness and fire she had in her and it was absolutely thrilling to watch. She and Davis are dynamite together. Goulding directs sympathetically while allowing Davis and Astor to have fun without being too laid back about it.
It is a lush-looking film, the photography, the costumes, the sets, all lovely on the eyes. Steiner's score showcases his unmistakable style in a sweeping and dramatic but not too overpowering score beautifully orchestrated. The script is not perfect, but has more than enough wit, poignancy and intensity to spare. While the story could have been better, it wasn't dull at least and the character interaction kept it engrossing.
Overall, good but could have been great. Davis and Astor are the main reasons to see it. 7/10
'The Great Lie' is very impressive in many areas and did find myself liking and enjoying it a lot. Considering what it had going for it, part of me was also a little disappointed and thought that 'The Great Lie' could have been even better than it turned out. Instead of the great film it could easily have been, it was instead good to very good with great elements. It represents Goulding, Davis (do prefer the mentioned films of theirs), composer Max Steiner and especially Astor are well represented. Have seen a lot better from Brent though.
Will agree that the story is often implausible and in particularly credibility-straining parts truly ridiculous and some strands from another happen too fast. As can be the case with melodramas, parts of the script lay it on a little too thick on the soap.
Brent is for my tastes rather bland in a pretty colourless part.
Davis however is great. Not quite one of her finest performances, but she is beautifully retrained while very much engaged with the increasing intensifying drama, as the intensity increases she increasingly pulls out all the stops. McDaniel and Watson shine in support in roles perfect for them and ones they always played very well. Best of all is Astor, who is brilliant. While she was a fine actress, did find myself being amazed at how much ruthlessness and fire she had in her and it was absolutely thrilling to watch. She and Davis are dynamite together. Goulding directs sympathetically while allowing Davis and Astor to have fun without being too laid back about it.
It is a lush-looking film, the photography, the costumes, the sets, all lovely on the eyes. Steiner's score showcases his unmistakable style in a sweeping and dramatic but not too overpowering score beautifully orchestrated. The script is not perfect, but has more than enough wit, poignancy and intensity to spare. While the story could have been better, it wasn't dull at least and the character interaction kept it engrossing.
Overall, good but could have been great. Davis and Astor are the main reasons to see it. 7/10