Franchot Tone was such a compelling lead in this movie. A strong, polished architect and man, you are immediately drawn to him. He a strong stable pole around which this movie can stand.
Bette Davis has such incredible expressions of face, and movements of body, which fully express her emotions. It's something to study and watch. And while Franchot Tone is more understated, his expressions are more convincing and true - he simply doesn't have the melodrama. You see and feel his emotions in a real way, and his character work is strong. He's a very good, under rated actor and I look forward to seeing more of him.
We are missing some important backstory so we can relate to Bette Davis character and why this famed actress went downhill. The writing moves things forward, and has some good twists and turns. However, it is not always believable. Why did Bette Davis character, so talented and acclaimed, skid to zero? And why, even though Franchot Tone's character adores her as an actress, does he fall in love with an unstable, angry, volatile woman? There was some connection between them, but it didn't seem like love. I found it hard to believe he'd leave his polished, kind beautiful fiancee.
The ending is interesting, redeeming, and not always satisfying. It feels there is too much unspoken between the characters. We needed to feel more resolution. In a good way, the ending was neither sappy or devastating. It made one think about life choices, and being happy, or investing in those choices.
Bette Davis has such incredible expressions of face, and movements of body, which fully express her emotions. It's something to study and watch. And while Franchot Tone is more understated, his expressions are more convincing and true - he simply doesn't have the melodrama. You see and feel his emotions in a real way, and his character work is strong. He's a very good, under rated actor and I look forward to seeing more of him.
We are missing some important backstory so we can relate to Bette Davis character and why this famed actress went downhill. The writing moves things forward, and has some good twists and turns. However, it is not always believable. Why did Bette Davis character, so talented and acclaimed, skid to zero? And why, even though Franchot Tone's character adores her as an actress, does he fall in love with an unstable, angry, volatile woman? There was some connection between them, but it didn't seem like love. I found it hard to believe he'd leave his polished, kind beautiful fiancee.
The ending is interesting, redeeming, and not always satisfying. It feels there is too much unspoken between the characters. We needed to feel more resolution. In a good way, the ending was neither sappy or devastating. It made one think about life choices, and being happy, or investing in those choices.