When I was young I always thought that one of the two most beautiful women in the world was Lana Turner (the other being Sophia Loren). 40 years later I haven't changed my mind. But the verdict on Lana Turner's acting is, for me, still out. I remember seeing her in a long interview a few years before her death, and being disappointed that while she wasn't a dumb blond, she also was no rocket scientist. Be that as it may, she has some fine moments in this melodrama, but you have to understand from the beginning, that this is not an uplifting film. In fact, it's downright depressing...well, "depressing" may be overstating it.
In the opening, the Turner character is leaving her small town to become a model in NYC. At first it goes well. Tom Ewell knows she "has it" and hires her and helps make her a success. But her first new friend in the big city is an alcoholic has-been model who quickly commits suicide. She also falls in with Barry Sullivan...clearly a downbeat.
Then she meets Ray Milland, who is excellent here. They fall in love, knowing that Milland is married...and what's more to an invalid who became crippled in a car accident he caused. Eventually, Lana decides to confront the crippled wife (excellently played by Margaret Phillips), but discovers she's a wonderful woman, so she decides to end the relationship with Milland.
I typically enjoy supporting actor Louis Calhern, but he's not so likable here...he's the cad who introduces Lana to his friend (Milland), whom he knows is married. Tom Ewell's role, while key to the story is not large, but he plays it very well...a little bit different than what I typically expect of him.
But, considering that this was directed by George Cukor, I was disappointed. Apparently the filming was problematic from the beginning. Most disappointing was the ending. Was she going to commit suicide or was she just depressed? Was she going to return to her hometown or get on with her modeling? Your guess is as good as mine...because as you leave the film she is just walking down a NYC street. Perhaps if the ending had been more concrete I would have been more satisfied with the film.
In the opening, the Turner character is leaving her small town to become a model in NYC. At first it goes well. Tom Ewell knows she "has it" and hires her and helps make her a success. But her first new friend in the big city is an alcoholic has-been model who quickly commits suicide. She also falls in with Barry Sullivan...clearly a downbeat.
Then she meets Ray Milland, who is excellent here. They fall in love, knowing that Milland is married...and what's more to an invalid who became crippled in a car accident he caused. Eventually, Lana decides to confront the crippled wife (excellently played by Margaret Phillips), but discovers she's a wonderful woman, so she decides to end the relationship with Milland.
I typically enjoy supporting actor Louis Calhern, but he's not so likable here...he's the cad who introduces Lana to his friend (Milland), whom he knows is married. Tom Ewell's role, while key to the story is not large, but he plays it very well...a little bit different than what I typically expect of him.
But, considering that this was directed by George Cukor, I was disappointed. Apparently the filming was problematic from the beginning. Most disappointing was the ending. Was she going to commit suicide or was she just depressed? Was she going to return to her hometown or get on with her modeling? Your guess is as good as mine...because as you leave the film she is just walking down a NYC street. Perhaps if the ending had been more concrete I would have been more satisfied with the film.