Review of My Favorite Wife (1940) by Laura C — 21 Jun 2007

The 'Awful Truth' with Cary Grant and Irene Dunn is one of my favorite movies so I was happy to learn they reunited to make 'My Favorite Wife,' which I caught on tv last night.

They have such great chemistry, which I think is incomparable to any other pairing I've ever seen. I find good chemistry is an allusive quality and that there are far more misses than hits when it comes to casting. (I imagine it has more to do with luck than anything else!).

So, the movie was cute in a completely silly, farfetched way.

A woman (Dunne) disappears in a shipwreck and is presumed dead. Years later her husband files to declare her legally dead in order to move on with someone else.

That very day Grant marries an attractive, though demanding woman.

By extraordinary coincidence, his first wife turns up shortly after the ceremony! It turns out Dunne was stranded on a deserted island and is found 7 years into her stay by a passing ship.

Completely overwhelmed, Grant is at a loss about what to do and in his inaction, makes everything worse.

Dunne, concerned by Grant's inactivity, intervenes, coming up with some incredibly funny and inventive ways to reunite her family.

I love Irene Dunne! Her performance is incredibly memorable! Much like her character in 'The Awful Truth' this woman is smart, sweet, confident, and mischevious. With her charm and wit you'd think she'd be able to pull off pretty well any scheme.

The humour plays consistently well throughout the film, as does the romance. Grant brillantly reveals the depth of his love for Dunne in a mostly non-verbal manner. His expressive eyes and body language betray his inner feelings.

Dunne returns the sentiments with an almost equal passion, which is evident as they embrace for the first time after their incredibly long seperation.

As they work their way through seemingly endless entanglements the couple never lets us forget how crazy they are about each other!

I'm a sucker for a well thought-out romantic comedy and was especially touched by the depth of their love and committment. It's not often that a married couple is featured in such a romantic film. Highly recommended!