Review of The Country Girl (1954) by Steve S — 29 Nov 2010

Grace Kelly won the Oscar for her portrayal in the title role, which is odd, as she's the least intriguing thing about this film and her character the smallest plot device.

The movie though is still great because it's about a drunk. Drunks are perfectly entertaining. I have not been a fan of Bing's other priestly performances. He was amiable, but stiff in a stiff role. Here, he awwesomly plays the old actor being given a second chance by a fan and Broadway director. Bing is such a drunk though- and so afraid of failure, that he manipulates his outer relationships to look strong and even prima-donna; while masking his fear of failure and ultimate descent back to drink to supplement the fear. You can see Bing turn on a dime the performance of fear vs. the vamp.

William Holden also excellently plays his role as that director who plays the wife to keep the drunk on point while the wife fights with what she knows is his manipulation.

Grace's character is tired and bitchy and she plays it too lazy. Instead of seeing constant defeat or rediculous marital support, she should have some fire of her husband's real attainable success that he seems to constantly be trying to sabotage.

Well written, well played. Bottoms up.