Review of The Awful Truth (1937) by Jared C — 06 Feb 2004

(Theatre) (Second Viewing, 2 McCarey films).

There's some really wonderful moments in [b]The Awful Truth[/b], particularly the Dixie Belle Lee song number and Irene Dunne's parody of it later in the film, and there are some pretty dull ones (the tired finale at the cabin). But it's the Grant/Dunne chemistry that keeps this one crackling from beginning to end, their witty banter and Dunne's facial expressions are utilized to hilarious effect throughout the film.

With the exception of Dunne's inspired performance as Grant's sister (which is perhaps the best scene in the film), once Ralph Bellamy's rich hick dissapears from the proceedings things go flat rather quickly.

But no matter, it's the best scenes and the laughs they elicited that are remembered, and that works for me.