Review of Jezebel (1938) by Randy T — 28 Mar 2010
"Pride is seldom delicate, it will please itself with very mean advantages; and envy feels not its own happiness, but when it may be compared with the misery of others" -Samuel Johnson.
Wealthy socialite Julie Marsden (Bette Davis) gets her feelings hurt when her beau (Henry Fonda) is unable to accompany her to pick up a dress for the ball. Her selfish and spiteful nature takes over and essentially wreaks havoc throughout the rest of the film, causing at least one man's death and nearly wrecking the marriage of another. All of which makes for fantastic drama, until the very end of the film when poor Julie sees the error of her ways and performs a single act of attrition that's supposed to make up for all the misery and hurt she's caused.
If it weren't for the cop-out ending, this would be a five star film. Self-centered, conceited little miss Marsden would have to do a whole lot more than ride outta' town in the back of a wagon before I'd agree that she redeemed herself. One can only hope that she later contracted bubonic plague and, while in a coma, had her eyes pecked out by hungry crows.
This review of Jezebel (1938) was written by Randy T on 28 Mar 2010.
Jezebel has generally received very positive reviews.
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