This Above All (B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
Anatole Litvak's engrossing romantic drama, 'This Above All', takes place in the early years of WWII. Just like 'Mrs. Miniver' (also from 1942), the movie was intended to boost sympathy, morale, & support for England, which was already engaged with Nazi Germany. The beautiful Joan Fontaine plays Prudence Cathaway, a strong-willed young woman from a privileged background who joins the WAF (a women's paramilitary group), over stern family protests (including her purse-lipped mother played by good 'ole Gladys Cooper). Having said that, her father (Philip Merivale) is perhaps the only member of her family like her. One night on a blind date, Prudence meets young Clive Briggs (Tyrone Power), a moody, enigmatic man with a dark secret ... but of course, romance inevitably ensues anyway. Despite Clive's criticism of her own aristocratic background, Prudence tolerates his fairly cynical nature as well as his ambivalence about fighting to retain the English class system that supports the rich/privileged.
The 1st half of this film is standard & fine; Prudence & Clive flirt, go on dates, head off for a holiday at the seaside, etc. -- all nice stuff. However, while at the seaside, they encounter some of Clive's war buddies. And as Clive's 'secret' unfolds itself (that Clive is a war deserter!), the movie turns darker, & the pro-English propaganda surfaces ... big time. After Prudence finds out Clive's secret, she professes eloquently about all that England means to her & why they must fight to preserve the country (it's a big, long, grand propaganda speech given by an impassioned, if slightly over-the-top Fontaine ... but I forgive it's melodramatic-ness given the WWII era & subject matter). Meanwhile, Clive belittles England's economic system that rewards the aristocracy & oppresses the poor; why should the poor fight (and die), while the rich pour tea & dress-up for dinner. The speech Prudence gives to Clive convinces him to return, but fate steps in beforehand when an air raid strikes London; putting him in mortal danger. Melodrama ensues.
The film is rich with characterization & atmosphere; and the script is full of interesting ideas & observations concerning the British aristocracy, corruption, desertion, & patriotism. The aforementioned Gladys Cooper - in just 2 quick scenes - perfectly embodies the privileged side of society, while Thomas Mitchell (of Gone With the Wind) & Nigel Bruce ably portray Clive's working class pals. Though he doesn't impart a British accent whatsoever, Tyrone Power is very good as Clive Briggs. Troubled, pensive, moody -- you really see & feel his torment. And it's fascinating to see him struggle to fight in the war - not for cowardice - but on the principle that the upper crust of British society may be the only beneficiaries. Joan Fontaine is tender, compassionate, yet also courageous as Prudence. And Fontaine's face simply glows as it perfectly expresses Prudence's growing affection for Clive. Power & Fontaine have their highlight moments, but they also convey romantic chemistry together; as best evidenced in their 1st encounter during a cigarette lighting, and also in a poignant hospital scene near the end.
The Academy Award-nominated black-&-white cinematography by Arthur C. Miller offers beautiful lighting & compositions. It captures Fontaine's delicate complexion & expressions; and his photography also highlights Tyrone Power at his handsome best. Also excellent is the Academy Award-winning art direction which provides a warm, coziness associated with wartime England, as well as the destruction that occurs when bombs start pummeling the city. Despite a dated message (WWII propaganda), and a different ending from the novel of which it's based, 'This Above All' is a good film that moves at a brisk pace. Even those audiences averse to romance dramas will likely be drawn in by Fontaine's radiance & Power's quiet strength. She & Power make a powerful romantic pair and, 'This Above All' rises above the stodgy propaganda-ness of the proceedings to provide enduring romantic entertainment for us all to experience.
The 1st half of this film is standard & fine; Prudence & Clive flirt, go on dates, head off for a holiday at the seaside, etc. -- all nice stuff. However, while at the seaside, they encounter some of Clive's war buddies. And as Clive's 'secret' unfolds itself (that Clive is a war deserter!), the movie turns darker, & the pro-English propaganda surfaces ... big time. After Prudence finds out Clive's secret, she professes eloquently about all that England means to her & why they must fight to preserve the country (it's a big, long, grand propaganda speech given by an impassioned, if slightly over-the-top Fontaine ... but I forgive it's melodramatic-ness given the WWII era & subject matter). Meanwhile, Clive belittles England's economic system that rewards the aristocracy & oppresses the poor; why should the poor fight (and die), while the rich pour tea & dress-up for dinner. The speech Prudence gives to Clive convinces him to return, but fate steps in beforehand when an air raid strikes London; putting him in mortal danger. Melodrama ensues.
The film is rich with characterization & atmosphere; and the script is full of interesting ideas & observations concerning the British aristocracy, corruption, desertion, & patriotism. The aforementioned Gladys Cooper - in just 2 quick scenes - perfectly embodies the privileged side of society, while Thomas Mitchell (of Gone With the Wind) & Nigel Bruce ably portray Clive's working class pals. Though he doesn't impart a British accent whatsoever, Tyrone Power is very good as Clive Briggs. Troubled, pensive, moody -- you really see & feel his torment. And it's fascinating to see him struggle to fight in the war - not for cowardice - but on the principle that the upper crust of British society may be the only beneficiaries. Joan Fontaine is tender, compassionate, yet also courageous as Prudence. And Fontaine's face simply glows as it perfectly expresses Prudence's growing affection for Clive. Power & Fontaine have their highlight moments, but they also convey romantic chemistry together; as best evidenced in their 1st encounter during a cigarette lighting, and also in a poignant hospital scene near the end.
The Academy Award-nominated black-&-white cinematography by Arthur C. Miller offers beautiful lighting & compositions. It captures Fontaine's delicate complexion & expressions; and his photography also highlights Tyrone Power at his handsome best. Also excellent is the Academy Award-winning art direction which provides a warm, coziness associated with wartime England, as well as the destruction that occurs when bombs start pummeling the city. Despite a dated message (WWII propaganda), and a different ending from the novel of which it's based, 'This Above All' is a good film that moves at a brisk pace. Even those audiences averse to romance dramas will likely be drawn in by Fontaine's radiance & Power's quiet strength. She & Power make a powerful romantic pair and, 'This Above All' rises above the stodgy propaganda-ness of the proceedings to provide enduring romantic entertainment for us all to experience.