After watching it for 15 minutes, I was done. Cary was charming as always but the timing in the film was so off, even he couldn't save it. I hesitated for years about watching this film because I don't find Ginger Rogers appealing unless she's with Fred Astaire. Cary and Ginger were not a good screen match and it showed.
shareCouldn't disgaree more. Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers were a terrific screen match(at least in "Once Upon A Honeymoon". In their other film "Monkey Business", Marilyn Monroe tended to steal some of the thunder from them). Even folks who don't particularly care for this film usually consider the Grant/Rogers combo one of its redeeming features. I think it's too bad Ginger and Cary didn't make more films as a team back during their 1930s/1940s prime. She's definitely one of my favorite of Grant's leading ladies.
shareSame for me...thought they worked quite well together. Apart from Fred, I think Cary Grant and Ray Milland are my two favorite leading men for Ginger Rogers.
I think, if the OP were to re-watch this, he (or she) would find that the first 15 minutes don't do the movie justice.
Personally, I think I have too much bloom. Maybe that's the trouble with me.
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On the contrary, please DO bother to watch the film as it was intended to be seen: in full.
Ginger Rogers was annoying, particularly in the first part of the story? True, because she played her part well: an empty blonde head, a rotten liar, unable to cope with her poor ancestry to the point of denying her family name, and her hometown. But life will smack her in the face, and she'll grow up, not only because of her romantic envolvement with Cary Grant, but her involvement with the people at large - to the point of jeopardizing her own freedom, and eventually her life, not to speak of the grand life-style she coveted.
Leo McCarey pretends to be filminga romantic comedy, but he is conveying a strong political message. Cary Grant is presented making a phone call from «the U.S. Embassy», when the office he is in is the headquarters of the «European News Service» (huge letters seen on the wall behind him, projected by the sun glowing on the window), which was the American newsagency in Europe, and the cover for anti-nazi propaganda and covert action intelligence services.
No wonder that, in a frenzied rhythm such as the last 'Quentin Tarantino' (qv)'s, the film is an imbricate set of lies, layer upon layer of them, in the personal lives of the pair (threesome), as in the political world.
The title hints at a childish story, but it may be read in a very adult manner: ONCE UPON A time in Europe, there were a man and a woman of Irish ancestry, destined to meet and love despite their opposite upbringing, and the explosive environment of a war-torn society. One honeymoon was consumed in ashes, and from it a new fire was born - pure love, and common love for humankind.
This is _Schindler's List (1993)_ (qv), without the tears.
Great comment Artemis-9. I voted this movie a "10" simply because they don't make 'em like they use to. I am stunned that this movie is rated "6.4," although maybe it shows how far I, or America, has fallen.
I recently caught a few seconds of a movie critic reviewing the year in film and saying it was a banner year because they made so many great movies in 2009. I laughed at the thought that I couldn't disagree more. I find almost all movies made in Hollywood today to be either just bad, unwatchable or a totally crappy remake that is an insult to its predecessors. Maybe we see the world differently, but I have no interest in seeing Avatar and it seems to me that even Joel and Ethan Coen can't make a good movie anymore.
As a disclaimer, I am a Cary Grant fan, I've never seen this movie before, and I thought he, the movie and Leo McCarey were great. McCarey, despite the possible misspelling of his name, deserves special mention for his bold treatment of the Nazis even if it did turn towards the end into sycophantic nationalism, which is no better than Nazism; in fact, it is Nazism.
well I disagree, I really liked it
7/10When there's no more room in hell, The dead will walk the earth...
Despite the chemistry between Grant and Rogers, I much preferred them in Monkey Business. Once Upon a Honeymoon overdoes the propaganda, whilst unsurprising considering the period of its release, viewing the film today the propaganda feels heavy handed. I also agree with an opinion made by another poster on this board stating the uneven mix of genres placed together. One moment there was indication of the Nazi threat and the next there was attempt at comic relief.
"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".
If you want to see Ginger overdoing the propaganda, try Tender Comrade. Covered everything from hoarding to being faithful to your fighting spouse, to women giving up their jobs when the men come home. Ginger's monologue at the end might as well have *propaganda* flashing across the bottom of the screen... And yet, I love it, as corny as it is.
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