Smilin’ Through (1932)
…………………………………………………
Smilin’ Through Movie Review
Smilin’ Through is a 1932 romance film directed by Sidney Franklin and starring Norma Shearer, Fredric March and Leslie Howard. It’s such a sweet, though sappy flick.
………………………………………………….
“Why, then, is this what they call dying? It’s nothing, is it?
Nothing, dear! And everything!“
…………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………..
First and foremost, I expected mediocre things from this film and thus I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it’s actually okay. Not only okay, but also quite solid even which I did not expect whatsoever. It’s still a very sappy movie in premise which, when you read it, you realize you are in for something very melodramatic and soapy and that’s exactly what you get, but you also get one hell of a romance.
Yes, the movie works stupendously as a sweepingly romantic, charming and endearing love story. Its old-fashioned, archaic approach worked wonders for it as did its charming setting and very gooey, but still quite effective dialogue. I found the beginning intriguing and the ending is honestly highly moving, but the middle parts were lacking in comparison and quite dull.
Norma Shearer here plays two characters – a bride who dies and her niece. The former is a tragic figure and the latter is very likable and sweet. Norma Shearer herself was very strong in both roles. Fredric March is always a welcome sight in a movie as he was an enormous talent, but I felt that he was underused here for my taste. Leslie Howard, though, stole the show by giving one very moving performance that would have been nominated for an Oscar had they had the supporting category that year.
…………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………..
Smilin’ Through is very boring and slow in the second act which sucked all of the enjoyment for me. The movie needed a shorter runtime, that’s for sure. But it surely looks good owing to stellar cinematography and a wonderful, charming setting. The tone of the film is very pleasing and romantic while the atmosphere easily sucks you into it and never lets go. That’s why the film succeeded despite being so awfully melodramatic and unrealistic in plot which was the norm for the early 30s cinema. It was only nominated for Best Picture and it didn’t deserve it.
Smilin’ Through is a very pleasant surprise. Yes, its premise alone easily conjures an eye roll how melodramatic and soapy it sounds. The second act also killed the enjoyment for me how slow it was. The movie is sweepingly romantic, though, and that’s why it ultimately works. Its old-fashioned setting, atmosphere and approach worked wonders to make it a very sweet film as did Leslie Howard’s wonderful supporting performance and a truly moving ending.
