Films/DVD Asylum

"Of Human Bondage"

24.91.201.174

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Thread: Display Email Next ] [ Films/DVD Asylum ]

rico

(A)

Though it has been made three times, the original, made pre Code in 1934, remains the best. Leslie Howard stars as an club footed artist turned medical student who becomes enamored of, and then obsessed by, a slatternly wiatress played by Bette Davis in her breakthrough role. Time and time again Howard is spurned and has the opportunity to set up a life with another woman, only to have the new affair ruined by Davis' return, pleading for money and other assistance. Risque' in its time, it is pretty tame now but still enjoyable. The DVD I have is noisy but listenable.

Follow Ups:

Hope it's better than the book! nt - clarkjohnsen 14:33:32 04/24/06 (3)
s
- Re: Hope it's better than the book! nt - eppis1 22:21:13 04/24/06 (2)
  That would be wishing for a lot. The book was melodramatic, but pretty darn good. Maugham wrote some fine novels, and a lot of excellent short stories. No fair comparison to the movies.
  - I thought the book poorly written. nt - clarkjohnsen 11:13:45 04/25/06 (1)
    z
    - Somerset Maugham poorly writing? Many - tinear 14:21:51 04/27/06 (0)
      negative things may be said about Of Human Bondage but questioning the absolute writing ability of an author whom most critics consider one of the centuries best stylists is a bit of a stretch.
Bette's performance, to me, is the - tinear 12:46:40 04/24/06 (0)
quintessential female one of all time.
The "wipe my mouth" dialogue is one of the most unforgettable scenes in all of film.
If anyone wishes to know what star power is, see this film. Howard, also, is brilliant as a man as helpless as a butterfly about to be pinned.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Schiit Audio

You can not post to an archived thread.