Review of Now, Voyager (1942) by Kathleen D — 07 Apr 2008

This movie really reminded me of Rebecca. Don't ask me why.

This really is the one that tugs on the ol' heartstrings. It really is one of those romances that falls onto the epic scale while really overplaying the melodrama of the whole situation.

First of all, I'd like to state that I did really like this movie and would recommend it (and probably will in the store!). But there are some things that just crossed my mind. Why are old rich women just pure evil in these stories. I realize that the mother character in this film is the catalyst that drives Bette Davis crazy and has her bond with the child, but good God. I mean, I know that some people are just evil and cruel, but I'm always shocked by how cruel people can be in film. But that's just me.

I was happy to see Claude Rains and Paul Henreid in another film together outside of Casablanca. Yes, I liked this film on its own merits, but I got a cheap thrill seeing them together on screen that I almost popped in my copy of Casablanca. They are both magnetic and charming actors that they brought a lot to this moive.

Okay, back to griping about melodrama. There are a bit too many twists and unnecessary turns in this movie that don't really serve the overall plot. There's this scale that this movie takes when really, it is a contained, down-to-earth romance. But there are these scenes in Boston, on a boat, in Rio, camping, at a resort, etc., etc., etc. That's really okay, but that's what is unfortunately detracting from this movie: the soap opera aspect.

I have to give credit to the makeup artist. While I would never call Bette Davis's character fat (despite the fact that they constantly refer to her as huge), they did transform a moderately attractive Bette Davis into this horrible, almost-unrecognizable old crone. That took some acting chops to distinguish between the characters. Davis really does command her character well throughout. While there is a good deal of time that she gripes about being hideous, there is also too much time of her being confident and in control. But the movie works out, so these little nitpicks are exactly that: nitpicks.

End of the day, you are watching an over-the-top romance melodrama that rides the line of questionable morality. But there is a heartwarming story in there. I think I would hate this movie if it was made today because I know what kind of music and cover would be on this film. But the classic cinematography and mood behind this movie really fix a lot of those wrinkles and produce a fine film.