Review of His Girl Friday (1940) by Jennifer S — 21 Nov 2010

What a pleasant surprise this movie was! I went into it with low expectations because I had heard negative reviews of it from some other movie-loving friends, and I have to say it far exceeded those expectations.

I won't go too much into the plot, but basically Rosalind Russell and Cary Grant play a divorced couple who are also both journalists. When Hildy (Russell) informs Walter (Grant) that she is quitting the paper and getting married, Walter schemes to win her back...to the paper and also, of course, into his heart.

I had a friend who found this movie a tad sexist in that it's one of those movies where the little woman has to "learn a lesson" taught to her by a man. I can see how His Girl Friday might come off as patronizing, but I have to say I disagree. Walter woos Hildy not with money or sweet nothings, but with the very thing she's obviously passionate about: a hot story (well, and also the chance to save a man from being executed...but mainly a hot story). Sure, Walter also plays some dirty tricks on Hildy's hapless fiance, but Hildy's not above trickery herself. In summation, I found that His Girl Friday didn't so much "teach the woman a lesson" as it did take a woman's interests and talents seriously.

Russell and Grant have excellent chemistry here. In fact, I don't think I've seen Grant in a funnier or more charming role. I found him to be "meh" in Bringing Up Baby and The Philadelphia Story, but I thought he was hilarious in this one. This is my first Rosalind Russell movie, but damn, she is funny and quick.

His Girl Friday is one of the best screwball comedies I've seen. I'd highly recommend it.