Cary Grant is one of the greatest actors to have ever graced the silver screen. The epitomy of American man-hood (even though his real name was Archie Leach and he was born in Bristol) Grant was able to be charming and sexy, or fumbling and screwball whenever and wherever it was required. The man was perfect, able to switch between comedies like Arsenic and Old Lace and dramas like An Affair to Remember. If I have one complaint about him, it's that he makes a terrible woman.
I Was a Male War Bride is based on the true story of Henri Rochard, played by Grant in the film (and whose original autobiography was called I was an Alien Spouse of Female Military Personnel Enroute to the United States Under Public Law 271 of the Congress). Rochard was a Belgian who married an Amreican Army Nurse, and went through a massive kerfuffle to be with her in America. This film is about that kerfuffle! Though there are some changes, of course. For example, Rochard in the film is a captain in the French Army. And his love interest, Catherine Gates played by Ann Sheridan, is a Lieutenant in the American Army. But, having never read the book, these changes are made in the best interests of the film, and work well within the story. Anyway, the kerfuffle that the plot is based on, is this: the orders come in for the American troops to leave on Henri and Catherine's wedding night, and Rochard finds that the only way he can accompany his wife back to America is to apply as a war bride.
By the end of the film, you end up feeling so sorry for Rochard. It transpires that American women aren't expected to get married to foreigners for all of the paper-work is expected to be filled out by brides, not husbands. This isn't the only protocol that seems a little bit extreme. Three wedding ceremonies, civil, Army, and church, are needed to satisfy the authorities. And when they are married, and with the forms filled out, there are still many confused people who come across Rochard and his predicament. He is thrown out of the war brides quarters, the American army quarters, and the German army quarters at one point, and I don't think he sleeps in three days. And when he finally does get to the boat that will him and his wife to America, the navy won't let him on board because he's a man. So, of course, he has to dress up as a woman to get on. And that's not the half of it.
No seriously, that's only half the movie. The latter half, I might add, sorry for not posting spoiler. But the film isn't really about the plot, it's more about the little comedic touches that hide themselves within the scenes, and are brought to life brilliantly by Grant and Sheridan. Also, film is infamous for the cross-dressing scene, so whatever pictures/reviews you find of it will make mention of the fact that you see Cary Grant in a skirt. But to be honest, the first half of the film is better. Not that the second half is bad, but it's bogged down a bit by the protocol and you annoyed really easily at how stupid the American military personnel are. The first half deals with romance (or lack there of) between Catherine and Henri, who are forced together on a mission against their wishes.
Hate at first sight! Hooray! The best way to start our stars off. The way they tolerate each other, that slowly grows to a strong affection and then to love. They don't make films like this any more. It's very fluffy and very fun! But also kinda weird. This was released in 1949, and takes place in Germany, were the American and French armies are working together to rebuild after the Third Reich... I think. It's not quite explained why they are there (though I did do some research, and they were there mainly to stop any more Nazi's popping up), but the history nut in me finds this incredibly interesting. I think the weirdest thing, though, is that they chose Cary Grant to play a Frenchman. I know why they chose him, he's Cary Grant! But he talks in his transatlantic accent all the way through. It's particularly jarring when there are actual jokes about him being French. But at the same time, I think the filmmakers knew that, and decided to have a little joke themselves.
It's a shame that this movie isn't as well known as some of Grant's other movies, though thankfully more people are seeing it now. It isn't as good a comedy as Arsenic and Old Lace, but it is light-hearted and fun, and the romance is genuine between the leads. It's just a really sweet film about two people falling in love, at the end of the day. The gimmick that made this film famous (or infamous) isn't there until 5 minutes before the end, and it doesn't actually stand up to what the rest of the film has to offer. The little moments of comedy are what make this movie shine, sometimes even through the big set-pieces. Sorry for spoiling the ending, and for not being as long as some of my other reviews. Next time, hopefully a list, and let me leave you with this rather dashing picture of one of the most handsome men to have lived.
No comments:
Post a Comment