Discuss Dodsworth
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Brilliant, ahead of its time
posted by rudely_murraySTAFFMOD on March 20, 2017 at 1:24 AM
Dodsworth is a major film, one which demonstrates a maturity and intelligence which set it apart from other Hollywood cinema of the 1930s. It is perceptive, smart and quite thrilling to watch. The characters speak and act like real people. While there is an air of sadness hanging over the film, it is lightened by graceful wit and some beautiful visuals. The ending - which I won't spoil - must have seemed almost unthinkable at the time. Mary Astor and Ruth Chatterton are quite marvellous. And then there is Walter Huston . What a performance, quite likely the greatest by an actor of that decade and surely one of the finest of all time in an American movie. I really cannot recommend this film highly enough to those who have yet to see it.
Reply by genplant29
on March 26, 2017 at 5:10 AM
This film features perhaps my all-time favourite Mary Astor performance. She's thoroughly and exceptionally wonderful in it. Everyone is.
In various regards, it's surprising that this film, released in 1936, was able to "get away" with as much as it did, considering it's a Code era movie.
Reply by rudely_murray
on March 26, 2017 at 7:39 AM
I agree wholeheartedly. Astor was always a fabulous actress but here she is simply perfect.
Yes, this film somehow dodged a lot of censorship bullets!
Reply by genplant29
on January 15, 2018 at 8:13 PM
An incredible thing is that this is an entirely set-filmed movie, though you never, for a second, get that impression. Even the scenes supposedly taking place on this or that island are as filmed on Hollywood sets. Excellent production, plus rear projection of actual European locations, combined to create a thoroughly convincing end visual effect.
Reply by rudely_murray
on January 15, 2018 at 9:00 PM
I did not know that! Such convincing location work, I honestly assumed much of it was shot on location.
Reply by GregorClegane
on January 19, 2019 at 10:02 AM
I watched this on TCM about a decade ago and loved it.
Reply by genplant29
on January 20, 2019 at 1:03 AM
Gregor, in the event you continue to have access to TCM and would like to see Dodsworth again, this'll be broadcast on that channel at noon (Eastern time) today.