There were plenty of reasons for wanting to see 'It Should Happen to You', despite not being sure what to expect from the title. Judy Holliday excelled in the kind of role she is in here and did them so well, while George Cukor made many great films ('Adam's Rib', 'Born Yesterday', 'Gaslight', 'David Copperfield', 'My Fair Lady', 'Camille' for examples) and got so many fine performances from particularly actresses. It was interesting seeing Jack Lemmon in his debut film.
'It Should Happen to You' was a sheer delight in almost every way, which saw everybody involved at the top of their game. It is much better than the title indicates, with it being a lot less cloying than it sounds, and is very funny, very charming and very intelligent. It is not quite one of Cukor's best films, but it is one of Holliday's best performances and it was hard to believe watching 'It Should Happen to You' that it was Lemmon's debut when it didn't look it.
Actually didn't find much to fault, though maybe it is on occasions a little too on the nose with its portrayal of ambition. Some of the blowing up veered on extreme too.
However, Holliday is one superb marvel with great comic timing and charm, managing to make a character that sounds very unlikeable the opposite. Lemmon, in one of his more subtle performances, is also amiable and equals her in the comic timing greatness, he is fully comfortable in his role and it looked as though he had been doing film for long before this and specialised in the genre. Peter Lawford stands out of the rest of the supporting cast who are all strong. The characters are not meaty, other than Holliday's, but they are fun and engage throughout.
Cukor directs immaculately and keeps the comedy flowing and the more dramatic moments pacey, his direction of Holliday particularly shines. Followed closely by his direction of the knockout sizzling chemistry between her and Lemmon. The film looks lovely, with Holliday stunning in her fashions.
Furthermore, the script sparkles in razor sharp wit, probes thought and provides a realistic portrayal of its still relevant subject. Very clever stuff here. The story can be light and fluffy while also having some nice grit, it is never dull and it never felt too predictable.
Summing up, absolutely great. 9/10.
'It Should Happen to You' was a sheer delight in almost every way, which saw everybody involved at the top of their game. It is much better than the title indicates, with it being a lot less cloying than it sounds, and is very funny, very charming and very intelligent. It is not quite one of Cukor's best films, but it is one of Holliday's best performances and it was hard to believe watching 'It Should Happen to You' that it was Lemmon's debut when it didn't look it.
Actually didn't find much to fault, though maybe it is on occasions a little too on the nose with its portrayal of ambition. Some of the blowing up veered on extreme too.
However, Holliday is one superb marvel with great comic timing and charm, managing to make a character that sounds very unlikeable the opposite. Lemmon, in one of his more subtle performances, is also amiable and equals her in the comic timing greatness, he is fully comfortable in his role and it looked as though he had been doing film for long before this and specialised in the genre. Peter Lawford stands out of the rest of the supporting cast who are all strong. The characters are not meaty, other than Holliday's, but they are fun and engage throughout.
Cukor directs immaculately and keeps the comedy flowing and the more dramatic moments pacey, his direction of Holliday particularly shines. Followed closely by his direction of the knockout sizzling chemistry between her and Lemmon. The film looks lovely, with Holliday stunning in her fashions.
Furthermore, the script sparkles in razor sharp wit, probes thought and provides a realistic portrayal of its still relevant subject. Very clever stuff here. The story can be light and fluffy while also having some nice grit, it is never dull and it never felt too predictable.
Summing up, absolutely great. 9/10.