• The Awful Truth

12/14/20 (Mon)

Leo McCarey’s 1937 screwball comedy classic. Irene Dunne and Cary Grant play a glamorous bickering couple who, each doubting the other’s fidelity, agree to a divorce, only to discover during the 60-day waiting period that they need each other after all.

The plot is dubious but is only there anyway as a framework for some fun characters and crackling dialogue in what amounts to an American restoration comedy. The pairing of the stars couldn’t have been better: Dunne is a joy with impeccable comic timing, and Grant is playing his well-worn role (apparently established in this very film) of the urbane but vulnerable gentleman. Their witty exchanges as they slyly undercut each other were the core of the film. The director seems to be holding back in many cases, perhaps in fear of censorship, such as the roundabout phrasing used by Grant in essentially accusing Dunne of cheating and the split-second glimpse at the nightclub performer’s naughty dance. Many of the plot developments are highly questionable, as in most of that era’s screwball films, which can get wearing; I’m not wild about farces that don’t make total sense at least in their own world. But the acting and sophisticated banter made it worth it. The acting was solid all around, including memorable appearances by the dog trying to decide in the courtroom which owner to favor and later chasing the hat in the room. Nothing profound, but a fun romp.