Review of It Happened One Night (1958) by Andrew A — 17 Aug 2014

4/4 stars. This wonderful film goes on forever, endlessly entertaining us with each new setup. As the first film to win the Oscars grand slam, it also serves as the blueprint for every romantic comedy and screwball comedy that followed. It is hilarious, charming, and most importantly, very well made. At the time it was being made, no studio wanted it. Eventually, Capra received the go-ahead, Gable was cast as a punishment for being an annoying actor, and Colbert was assigned after the studio offered her twice her normal paycheck. Pretty soon, Capra was a household name, and this best picture winner was cemented in history.

The first half of the film is the best. Filled with one hilarious antic after another, the first half serves as a comedic travelogue that obviously inspired "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles." The second half sinks into romance that started the predictable plot of every romantic comedy EVER!!! It should be the most interesting, but it ends up being the least, mostly because it was the first in a LONG line of romantic comedies. However, the acting is top notch considering the bribery, and the character development is lacking, but that doesn't have any effect on the film really. The plot is mundane, but the screenplay is excellent, taking the overall idea and twisting and turning it into many different directions and places, all with great success.

Ultimately, this is one of the great films of Hollywood, and certainly one of the best comedies. With its long line of memorable jokes and setups, this film shows that everyone involved has real talent, and that a little sophistication makes any humor all the more appealing, something modern comedies should consider. It was a blueprint for romances and comedies alike. It is a film where I kept looking at my watch and saw that the film was only just beginning, and then leaped with joy in anticipation of what great thing would happen next.