If I could give this film an 11, I would. Out of all the films of the legendary pair Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, this remains my favorite. Finally, we are presented with a movie that not only shows what lovely voices and faces they had, but what depth as performers they had as well. MacDonald (as Macia Mornay) is particularly impressive, as we see her go through three stages in the film. The movie opens with her as an old woman, and in flashback we see her as a young, wide-eyed prima donna, learning the ropes of opera in Europe, and later as a mature woman who has finally realized that perhaps her career was not worth the emotional torture she has put herself through. She looks absolutely stunning and has a voice just as pretty as her face. In the final moments of the flashback, when she realizes what she has virtually brought upon herself, we not only see her pain and regret but we feel it as well. Eddy (as Paul Allison) is charming, handsome and playfully boyish, showing us a chivalry in men that seems to have vanished from today's pictures. His persistence in pursuing Marcia from the very beginning and his devotion to her over the years is touching. And when he utters those dying words, "That day... did last me... all my life," you feel your heart dying with theirs. John Barrymore makes for a perfect "villain" -- his bizarre desire to completely possess Marcia is portrayed in quite the chilling manner. Above all, this movie is about love. Whether one is attempting to steal a kiss or two during the beautiful rendition of "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny," teaching the other how to shoot a bow, kissing passionately and unexpectedly in the middle of an opera, or holding a dying lover, it is simply a beautifully and effectively told love story. When elderly Marcia clutches her chest under the tree, you can't believe what you're seeing -- but as soon as you see young Paul transcend into the foreground and sing "Will You Remember?" your heart is overwhelmed with joy at their finally being reunited in death. Woody Van Dyke sure knew how to make 'em, didn't he?
Review of Maytime
