she was miscast in this movie. I haven't read the book but she seems about 20 years too old at the beginning of the movie when she takes the job in the Scott house. People accused Cary Grant of always playing himself but you could also say the same about Miss Garson. Goodbye Mr Chips, Mrs Miniver, Blossoms In The Dust, this movie. Had she been about 25 instead of 40 she would have been perfect.
But Gregory Peck is another matter. Even in movies I like such as Roman Holiday, Spellbound, Cape Fear or The Omen, he's always seemed too wooden. The exception to that is Mockingbird but I think his underplaying the role of Finch was perfect. In this movie I never saw the spark that would interest Garson. I know this is a minority view but I've never been a big fan of Peck and this movie didn't change my mind.
The story of Mary Rafferty (Garson) taking a job as a maid for the wealthy Scott family and falling in love with the son (Peck) is pretty standard melodrama. Donald Crisp is smooth as Peck's father and Marsha Hunt is enjoyable in a small role as Peck's sister. But Lionel Barrymore is over the top as Garson's embittered father who was injured in the Scott steel mill and blames Peck's father for losing his legs.
The movie takes place after the civil war and it's unlikely a wealthy family would treat the hired help the way they would a long lost cousin. Then there's the fact that Peck's father would continue to pay Barrymore full wages after he got hurt. If companies had done that in the 19th century we never would have the rise of the labor unions in the 20th century.
But the biggest fish to swallow was the ending. Peck has married another woman and they have a young son. But when Peck's mother dies, suddenly Garson and Peck rekindle their love for each other and the fact that he has a wife already is no big deal so Peck and Garson can live happily ever after. I'm not an expert on 19th century divorce laws in Pennsylvania but somehow I think there may have been more to do than just tell your wife she can't take the kid to Boston.
The talent in this movie is immense. The director, Tay Garnett did a perfect job with The Postman Always Rings Twice. Garson, Peck (despite my feelings) Crisp, Barrymore, Hunt, Dan Duryea and Jessica Tandy were all terrific actors. Greer Garson's talent by itself is worth 5 stars. But this movie is not on the level of her best work. Come to think of it, everyone connected to this has done better.
But Gregory Peck is another matter. Even in movies I like such as Roman Holiday, Spellbound, Cape Fear or The Omen, he's always seemed too wooden. The exception to that is Mockingbird but I think his underplaying the role of Finch was perfect. In this movie I never saw the spark that would interest Garson. I know this is a minority view but I've never been a big fan of Peck and this movie didn't change my mind.
The story of Mary Rafferty (Garson) taking a job as a maid for the wealthy Scott family and falling in love with the son (Peck) is pretty standard melodrama. Donald Crisp is smooth as Peck's father and Marsha Hunt is enjoyable in a small role as Peck's sister. But Lionel Barrymore is over the top as Garson's embittered father who was injured in the Scott steel mill and blames Peck's father for losing his legs.
The movie takes place after the civil war and it's unlikely a wealthy family would treat the hired help the way they would a long lost cousin. Then there's the fact that Peck's father would continue to pay Barrymore full wages after he got hurt. If companies had done that in the 19th century we never would have the rise of the labor unions in the 20th century.
But the biggest fish to swallow was the ending. Peck has married another woman and they have a young son. But when Peck's mother dies, suddenly Garson and Peck rekindle their love for each other and the fact that he has a wife already is no big deal so Peck and Garson can live happily ever after. I'm not an expert on 19th century divorce laws in Pennsylvania but somehow I think there may have been more to do than just tell your wife she can't take the kid to Boston.
The talent in this movie is immense. The director, Tay Garnett did a perfect job with The Postman Always Rings Twice. Garson, Peck (despite my feelings) Crisp, Barrymore, Hunt, Dan Duryea and Jessica Tandy were all terrific actors. Greer Garson's talent by itself is worth 5 stars. But this movie is not on the level of her best work. Come to think of it, everyone connected to this has done better.