MovieChat Forums > Made for Each Other (1939) Discussion > 2/3 good movie + 1/3 good movie

2/3 good movie + 1/3 good movie

posted 17 years ago by vonhangman
9 replies | jump to latest

For the first hour or so of the movie, this is a very pleasant screwball-ish comedy.

Suddenly things take a dark turn. I am a big fan of some John Cromwell films like "So Ends Our Night" and "Dead Reckoning" because they are full of moody and haunting images. The final third of "Made For Each Other" exemplifies this. The silhouettes of Jane and Mrs Mason; the Gothic hospital; most of all, the extraordinary images of the flight of the biplane through the snow. All of this would be brilliant, if it were even slightly in keeping with what had come before.

Can you imagine what if would be like if you had, oh, I don't know, John Hughes, directing the first hour of a film; and then he was pulled off the project and replaced with Ingmar Bergman. That is kind of what watching this movie is like.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] sametic 15 years ago

This is pretty much the way I looked at it as well, but I blame the screenplay moreso. At first it seemed like a feasible idea, to show the dark half of a flighty decision, as it were, but the third act spends so much time wallowing in contrived plot devices and forced sentimentality that it sinks the entire film. I can think of dozens of other ways the script could have gone to make its point.

[–] Electric-Eyes 14 years ago

Can you imagine what if would be like if you had, oh, I don't know, John Hughes, directing the first hour of a film; and then he was pulled off the project and replaced with Ingmar Bergman. That is kind of what watching this movie is like.

I liked this film but I have to agree with this!

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[–] TANSD76 11 years ago

I found it meandering throughout. If I could I'd pull out certain scenes and recommend them to people for the strong performances but I wouldn't tell anyone to sit through this entire film as I don't think the story is really worth the time.

[–] entertainme5 11 years ago

Agreed. A little melodramatic. But Carole is lively, and Stewart is adorin. Would have cut some scenes as well.. its a rare gem, this movie. Can't believe its a billy wilder directed film though, he's usually fast paced. The stunning flight scenes reminded me of Howard Hawks!!

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] 11 years ago

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[–] kenny-164 10 years ago

I found the ending quite enjoyable, and not an ill fit. The screenplay might have been a bit tighter, but in fact I liked the turn the film takes. It was unexpected, but plausible and in keeping with the film's themes.

[–] 10 years ago

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