Before seeing this film, my expectations were high.
Director Leo McCarey would make the magnificent "Make way for tomorrow" (1937) a few years later.
Gregg Toland, one of the cinematographers, would popularize deep focus in "Citizen Kane" (1941, Orson Welles).
Last but not least lead actress Gloria Swanson was great at the end of her career in "Sunset boulevard" (1950, Billy Wilder). When she was so good at the end of her career, what would she be like at her prime?
Often high expectations are a recipe for the disappointment that follows, and this is not an exception. The film turns out to be a rather slow and outdated screwball comedy.
What is for example the problem of having dated in the past? This doesn't mean that you are cheating on your current fiancé, at least not by current standards. Removing the secrecy surrounding a past engagement would however knock the bottom out of the entire plot.
The film is not at par at all with the quality of for example the screwball comedy's of Howard Hawks. Only a couple of scenes are funny enough or fast enough to make the firm worthwile.
The conclusion has to be that Gloria Swanson saved the best for last. That is also the picture you get when sorting her performances on IMDB rating. As a disclaimer it has to be added however that the quality of a film is only partially dependent on the actors.
Director Leo McCarey would make the magnificent "Make way for tomorrow" (1937) a few years later.
Gregg Toland, one of the cinematographers, would popularize deep focus in "Citizen Kane" (1941, Orson Welles).
Last but not least lead actress Gloria Swanson was great at the end of her career in "Sunset boulevard" (1950, Billy Wilder). When she was so good at the end of her career, what would she be like at her prime?
Often high expectations are a recipe for the disappointment that follows, and this is not an exception. The film turns out to be a rather slow and outdated screwball comedy.
What is for example the problem of having dated in the past? This doesn't mean that you are cheating on your current fiancé, at least not by current standards. Removing the secrecy surrounding a past engagement would however knock the bottom out of the entire plot.
The film is not at par at all with the quality of for example the screwball comedy's of Howard Hawks. Only a couple of scenes are funny enough or fast enough to make the firm worthwile.
The conclusion has to be that Gloria Swanson saved the best for last. That is also the picture you get when sorting her performances on IMDB rating. As a disclaimer it has to be added however that the quality of a film is only partially dependent on the actors.