Thomas Collier (Leslie Howard) has always eschewed conventions and the advice of his father for a more Bohemian lifestyle, so when he tells his best friend, Daisy (Ann Harding), he is to marry, she is confused and hurt. But he does settle into the country life of Connecticut with his new wife, Cecelia (Myrna Loy), and steers his publishing business toward more commercial-and less artistic-endeavors.
This is a very mannered story. Much of the text remains subtext, relying on the cast to convey their hidden emotions nonverbally, which they do very well. There is a battle going on, but it is not between the two women; it is an struggle within Tom, who may have sacrificed what he really wants for comfort, or predictability, or family considerations.
The "animal kingdom" apparently refers to the natural order of things. Tom and Daisy have always tried to live on a "higher" plane of their own invention, but human nature, being part of nature, is a primal force. And when Tom comes to a psychic crisis, he must decide which part of his emotional makeup to nourish.
It is enjoyable to watch these actors master the lines that originated with Philip Barry's play. A performance particularly fun to watch is that of the butler, Regan (William Gargan), who is rather undisciplined.
This is a very mannered story. Much of the text remains subtext, relying on the cast to convey their hidden emotions nonverbally, which they do very well. There is a battle going on, but it is not between the two women; it is an struggle within Tom, who may have sacrificed what he really wants for comfort, or predictability, or family considerations.
The "animal kingdom" apparently refers to the natural order of things. Tom and Daisy have always tried to live on a "higher" plane of their own invention, but human nature, being part of nature, is a primal force. And when Tom comes to a psychic crisis, he must decide which part of his emotional makeup to nourish.
It is enjoyable to watch these actors master the lines that originated with Philip Barry's play. A performance particularly fun to watch is that of the butler, Regan (William Gargan), who is rather undisciplined.