Review of The Snake Pit (1948) by Ajmeet S — 15 Feb 2010
Olivia de Havilland challenges herself beyond the romantic roles in swashbucklers and cute pie playing Virginia Stewart Cunningham who is a patient in a mental asylum, and gives a fierce performance in a film that breaks taboos.
It is one of the first to focus on psychological drama in an intense psychological circumstance. The characterization is amazing, and she is supported by the likes of Celeste Holm, who should have had more screen time.
Unfortunately, the film turns into a spiraling tour of what mental asylums were like and not much on the fierce talent of de Havilland and her character's arch. Great movie, and Olivia deserved her Oscar nomination, but nothing more.
This review of The Snake Pit (1948) was written by Ajmeet S on 15 Feb 2010.
The Snake Pit has generally received very positive reviews.
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