When a director says that he won an Oscar for the wrong film, one should take him seriously, as Leo McCarey did when he won the Best Director award for 'The Awful Truth'. He should have won for 'Make Way for Tomorrow', a far superior story, but perhaps too downbeat for a Hollywood trying to maintain a cheery attitude during the Great Depression.
Nevertheless, 'The Awful Truth' is a fun romp through a marriage undergoing a period of strain. Cary Grant plays a husband who appears to be dallying on the side (although not explicitly confirmed). Irene Dunne plays his wife, who may or may not be dallying on her side with her voice teacher (Alexander D'Arcy). They become suspicious of each other, and decide to get a divorce. Before the divorce becomes final, they decide to punish each other by dating others. The funniest parts come as they each find themselves with companions that are completely unsuitable and gradually figure it out.
Cary Grant shows his growing mastery of the sardonic humor combined with sensitivity that culminated in his performance in 'The Philadelphia Story'. Irene Dunne provides some masterful comedy touches, particularly at the end of recital which Grant butts in on, and delivers a come-hither look in another scene that is priceless. Cecil Cunningham dishes out some biting humor on romantic relationships as Dunne's aunt. Ralph Bellamy plays the role of the mama's boy bumpkin well, and Joyce Compton provides a Marilyn Monroe moment 20 years ahead of it's time.
Nevertheless, 'The Awful Truth' is a fun romp through a marriage undergoing a period of strain. Cary Grant plays a husband who appears to be dallying on the side (although not explicitly confirmed). Irene Dunne plays his wife, who may or may not be dallying on her side with her voice teacher (Alexander D'Arcy). They become suspicious of each other, and decide to get a divorce. Before the divorce becomes final, they decide to punish each other by dating others. The funniest parts come as they each find themselves with companions that are completely unsuitable and gradually figure it out.
Cary Grant shows his growing mastery of the sardonic humor combined with sensitivity that culminated in his performance in 'The Philadelphia Story'. Irene Dunne provides some masterful comedy touches, particularly at the end of recital which Grant butts in on, and delivers a come-hither look in another scene that is priceless. Cecil Cunningham dishes out some biting humor on romantic relationships as Dunne's aunt. Ralph Bellamy plays the role of the mama's boy bumpkin well, and Joyce Compton provides a Marilyn Monroe moment 20 years ahead of it's time.