Review of Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) by Nathan E — 10 Jul 2012

Entertaining black comedy. As unbelievable a situation it is, the actors (especially Grant) make it palpable. Frank Capra was an inspired choice as director, imbuing this story, which could have become a very dark one, with his trademark America small town optimism. An interesting dynamic takes place throughout the film, and Grant is entertainingly caught in the middle.

This was a side of Cary Grant I had never seen before. I was accustomed to the suave charmer of films like North by Northwest. But this Grant would be welcomed in a Goofy cartoon, with all the pratfalls and exaggerated facial expressions he does. Good stuff.