First a word about Joan's character Tessa being manipulative. I agree she used tactics that were such, but with good intentions, so I think Dodd did not focus too much on the manipulative aspect of her behavior. More important is he felt she imparted muse like benefits to him. She inspired him, and as such he would be more willing to overlook, or even to not consider, that her behavior at times might be questioned.
As for Joan's performance, one may always count on a difference of opinion on IMDb, but count me as one who thought it a great one. In fact one could see Joan in effect influencing Alexis Smith, by inspiring her, and Alexis also gave a great performance.
While Tessa at times seemed a bit manic, that was within the character portrayed, and not the least bit implausible or inappropriate. It is silly to complain about flaws of the character and attribute them to the actor involved.
Joan Fontaine is perhaps not often thought of as a physical performer, but here she matched the manners and movements extremely well to the age of her character. I do concede some later close-ups to the beautiful Ms. Fontaine did not really look like a mid-teen, but on the whole the performance was more than believeable. I think the naysayers here may have been aware of the age difference before seeing the film, and had that influence their perceptions.
I did question Boyer as the male lead, to some extent. But Joan I recall said he was great to work with, and in the end I think he worked in the role. But I did find Joan and Alexis to have the better performances. Peter Lorre was also very good.
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Clothes-Off
10 years ago
I think the naysayers here may have been aware of the age difference before seeing the film, and had that influence their perceptions.
Yes, and I would suggest to future filmmakers that if you don't want naysayers to be aware of the age difference before seeing your film, don't cast a famous actor who recently won an Oscar.
"Well, for once the rich white man is in control!" C. M. Burns
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kenny-164
10 years ago
"Yes, and I would suggest to future filmmakers that if you don't want naysayers to be aware of the age difference before seeing your film, don't cast a famous actor who recently won an Oscar"
You may have known this when you posted it, but you miss the point. The point I made previously is that the criticisms of hte age difference had more to do with factors external to the film itself, that being their knowledge of the actual age of the actress, rather than the intrinsic performance.
Ironicallly at the time, as noted by TCM's Robert Osborne, audiences were impressed by Fontaine's ability to convincingly portray a character so much younger. But today it becomes a candidate for the dreary practice of "gotcha!", the search for superficial goofs and alleged plot holes that really aren't.
If you just watch the performance, you will be impressed. That is my point.
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