I Take This Woman (1940)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
The troubled production history has probably labeled this film with its negative reputation. While the end result can't be seen as anything other than disappointing the movie is still quite a bit better than many reviews would lead you to believe. The film starts off at sea as Dr. Karl Decker (Spencer Tracy) saves the beautiful but troubled Georgi (Hedy Lamarr) from killing herself. Back in NY the woman eventually looks the doctor up and sees what a nice, caring man he is as he spends most of his time doing research but when not doing that he's helping the poor. The two are quickly married but soon after wards the doctor's fears come true when he thinks his new wife is falling for her ex (Kent Taylor). Three directors were involved with this film at various time of its production and I think it's clear as the thing is quite uneven even if MGM stated that the final director (Van Dyke) pretty much re-shot the entire picture. I think what really keeps the film from being anything special is the screenplay, which is too much soap opera and it fails to ever cross the line with either character. We're introduced to Tracy and it's clear that he's a very good man without much grit to stand up to what eventually happens to him. The Lamarr character is clearly a very troubled woman who makes a lot of dumb decisions yet the screenplay never really shows her for how bad she really is. Whenever she tries to kill herself they do it in a beautiful way to make it look poetic. When she eventually runs back to the other man the film again gives her a very good reason so that she doesn't look too bad. Even stuff in between with her annoying friend is handled to where she just comes off as an innocent person. I'm not sure if Josef von Sternberg walked because of how holy and easy these characters were but it wouldn't shock me. I'm also not sure if the ending was re-shot but I'm going to guess it was because it's downright horrible and easy to tell that it had to have been forced by the studio. I won't ruin the ending for people but it feels out of place not only for this film but just about any movie ever made. The saving grace are clearly the performances as Tracy and Lamaar at least do a nice job together. They certainly have a strong chemistry together and it really feels as both actors are trying extremely hard to make this movie work. Tracy has no problems playing the good-hearted man and Lamaar does a good job with her "troubled" character. Verree Teasdale has no issues with her annoying society girl and we get some fine supporting work by Taylor, Laraine Day and we get character actor George E. Stone in a couple scenes. Fans of the stars will probably check this movie out but I'd say just about everyone else could skip it and not really miss anything special. The movie isn't bad but at the same time when you consider the talent involved you've got to expect something better.
** 1/2 (out of 4)
The troubled production history has probably labeled this film with its negative reputation. While the end result can't be seen as anything other than disappointing the movie is still quite a bit better than many reviews would lead you to believe. The film starts off at sea as Dr. Karl Decker (Spencer Tracy) saves the beautiful but troubled Georgi (Hedy Lamarr) from killing herself. Back in NY the woman eventually looks the doctor up and sees what a nice, caring man he is as he spends most of his time doing research but when not doing that he's helping the poor. The two are quickly married but soon after wards the doctor's fears come true when he thinks his new wife is falling for her ex (Kent Taylor). Three directors were involved with this film at various time of its production and I think it's clear as the thing is quite uneven even if MGM stated that the final director (Van Dyke) pretty much re-shot the entire picture. I think what really keeps the film from being anything special is the screenplay, which is too much soap opera and it fails to ever cross the line with either character. We're introduced to Tracy and it's clear that he's a very good man without much grit to stand up to what eventually happens to him. The Lamarr character is clearly a very troubled woman who makes a lot of dumb decisions yet the screenplay never really shows her for how bad she really is. Whenever she tries to kill herself they do it in a beautiful way to make it look poetic. When she eventually runs back to the other man the film again gives her a very good reason so that she doesn't look too bad. Even stuff in between with her annoying friend is handled to where she just comes off as an innocent person. I'm not sure if Josef von Sternberg walked because of how holy and easy these characters were but it wouldn't shock me. I'm also not sure if the ending was re-shot but I'm going to guess it was because it's downright horrible and easy to tell that it had to have been forced by the studio. I won't ruin the ending for people but it feels out of place not only for this film but just about any movie ever made. The saving grace are clearly the performances as Tracy and Lamaar at least do a nice job together. They certainly have a strong chemistry together and it really feels as both actors are trying extremely hard to make this movie work. Tracy has no problems playing the good-hearted man and Lamaar does a good job with her "troubled" character. Verree Teasdale has no issues with her annoying society girl and we get some fine supporting work by Taylor, Laraine Day and we get character actor George E. Stone in a couple scenes. Fans of the stars will probably check this movie out but I'd say just about everyone else could skip it and not really miss anything special. The movie isn't bad but at the same time when you consider the talent involved you've got to expect something better.