Review of The Philadelphia Story (1940) by Judith N — 28 Jan 2009

To be really honest, this one cut a little close to home for me; and yet, I love it for its snappy script, the wonderful performances, and the sweetness underneath all the quick sarcasm. Katherine Hepburn is the once-divorced, soon to be remarried Tracy Lord, whose society wedding runs aground with the reappearance of her first husband C.

K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant, at his charming smoothest), and the intrusion of two â??friends of her brotherâ??sâ?? who are really a journalist and his photographer/girl Friday going undercover for their gossip magazine.

For a movie that is over 60 years old, the interaction and asides between the warring ex-lovers, between Tracy and the infatuated journalist (James Stewart), and between just about everyone else is fresh, a little racy, and surprisingly modern.

And itâ??s hard for me not to cheer for Tracy, who despite her high mannerisms and cold exterior, shows the heart to learn a little humility from the people who love and know her best; Katherine Hepburn is just wonderful as Tracy, one minute icy and so very very sharp, and in the next as vulnerable as girl could be.