This was an entertaining movie, told in both contemporary time and flashback, as Susie Parkington (Greer Garson) recalls her life with her late husband, Augustus (Walter Pidgeon), while dealing with a family crisis that involves all her self-centered children, grandchildren, in-laws and her beloved great-granddaughter, who adds substance to the shallow brood.
Greer is terrific and the character she plays is admirable and likeable, but the same can't be said for Walter, as Augustus can't be called admirable. He's got an ego to match his bank account as well as a vengeful streak that borders on obsessive. Despite being a young, innocent woman (as well as his social inferior) when they wed (he felt responsible for her, as the mining accident he indirectly caused resulted in her mother's death) she manages to hold her own against this strong, often domineering man, like when she confesses to lending financial help to the family of a business rival he sought to destroy. She also stands her ground when it comes to Aspasia (Agnes Moorehead), Augustus's former mistress, who becomes Susie's friend, though still in love with her husband. Later down the road, after a year's separation caused by a family tragedy, Susie follows Augustus to Europe, where she wins him back from another woman, with help from the Prince of Wales! She's more than a match for the husband who called her "Sparrow"!
There are other familiar faces here: Edward Arnold, Dan Duryea, Cecil Kellaway, that add to the story, though I would have been just as happy had the present-day clan been left out altogether.
Greer is terrific and the character she plays is admirable and likeable, but the same can't be said for Walter, as Augustus can't be called admirable. He's got an ego to match his bank account as well as a vengeful streak that borders on obsessive. Despite being a young, innocent woman (as well as his social inferior) when they wed (he felt responsible for her, as the mining accident he indirectly caused resulted in her mother's death) she manages to hold her own against this strong, often domineering man, like when she confesses to lending financial help to the family of a business rival he sought to destroy. She also stands her ground when it comes to Aspasia (Agnes Moorehead), Augustus's former mistress, who becomes Susie's friend, though still in love with her husband. Later down the road, after a year's separation caused by a family tragedy, Susie follows Augustus to Europe, where she wins him back from another woman, with help from the Prince of Wales! She's more than a match for the husband who called her "Sparrow"!
There are other familiar faces here: Edward Arnold, Dan Duryea, Cecil Kellaway, that add to the story, though I would have been just as happy had the present-day clan been left out altogether.