It takes patience to try to get fully in this "Svengali" style story with a few unique twists. Artistically, it is a triumph, stunning to watch for the care that went into it, but somehow as flat as the painting of heroine Edana Romney in her period clothes. There are moments when a joyous spirit overtakes this melodrama, but it is often dour and maudlin.
Romney may be a graceful beauty, but she lacks the charisma of other dark haired British beauties. Resembling Merle Oberon with a bit of Margaret Lockwood thrown in, she's equally flat in important emotional scenes that required under playing rather than the shouting she resorted to. However, the camera loves her, as evidenced in a sequence when brooding artist Eric Pittman whirls her around on a restaurant floor the moment he spits her. It takes forever for him to reveal to her why, although the audience pretty much knows.
I could see this as an opera with its mixture of melodrama, mystery and potential tragedy. It is certainly a masterpiece of technology, showing how far advanced the British were if you look at some of their best films from the 1940's. At times, this seemed very modern, and the sets seem to shine in 3-D to the point of infinity. Something tells me that this takes repeat viewings to truly be appreciated, although I would undoubtedly look on at Romney in the same way.
Romney may be a graceful beauty, but she lacks the charisma of other dark haired British beauties. Resembling Merle Oberon with a bit of Margaret Lockwood thrown in, she's equally flat in important emotional scenes that required under playing rather than the shouting she resorted to. However, the camera loves her, as evidenced in a sequence when brooding artist Eric Pittman whirls her around on a restaurant floor the moment he spits her. It takes forever for him to reveal to her why, although the audience pretty much knows.
I could see this as an opera with its mixture of melodrama, mystery and potential tragedy. It is certainly a masterpiece of technology, showing how far advanced the British were if you look at some of their best films from the 1940's. At times, this seemed very modern, and the sets seem to shine in 3-D to the point of infinity. Something tells me that this takes repeat viewings to truly be appreciated, although I would undoubtedly look on at Romney in the same way.