Their Own Desire is quite a melodrama, so be sure to strap on your 1929 goggles securely before watching it. You've got to keep in mind that talkies were new, otherwise you'll never get past the overacting. Women will cover their mouths, wide-eyed, as they exclaim, "What shall I do?" There are no title cards, but there might as well be.
Norma Shearer stars as a daughter caught in the middle of her parents' divorce. Her father, Lewis Stone, has left her mother, Belle Bennett, for another woman: Helene Millard. Belle is distraught and attempts suicide, and Norma takes her side. It's very hard on her, since she and her dad used to be bosom buddies. While recuperating, Norma meets a handsome young man, Robert Montgomery, and falls in love. Just as they become engaged, they find out who each other's parents are. Bob is Helene's son!
I never used to like Norma Shearer. I couldn't see her talent and often cringed while watching her overact. Then I saw her in Marie Antoinette, and everything changed. Most early silver screen movies will fall into two categories: movies about men and movies about women. In the movies about women, most of the plots revolve around fallen women, tramps, prostitutes, or women forced into easy virtue against their will. It's easy to understand why their roles were limited; back in the day, many women didn't work, and since the main goal was to make a respectable marriage, the worst thing that could happen to her-and therefore the juiciest plot for a movie script-would be if she took to the streets and lost her decency. Norma Shearer didn't make those movies. She made regular old dramas, and when she put on the tears, you really felt it. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Their Own Desire, and I understand why. Check her out in this movie, Strange Interlude or Marie Antoinette to see her really shine-and she doesn't take to the streets!
Norma Shearer stars as a daughter caught in the middle of her parents' divorce. Her father, Lewis Stone, has left her mother, Belle Bennett, for another woman: Helene Millard. Belle is distraught and attempts suicide, and Norma takes her side. It's very hard on her, since she and her dad used to be bosom buddies. While recuperating, Norma meets a handsome young man, Robert Montgomery, and falls in love. Just as they become engaged, they find out who each other's parents are. Bob is Helene's son!
I never used to like Norma Shearer. I couldn't see her talent and often cringed while watching her overact. Then I saw her in Marie Antoinette, and everything changed. Most early silver screen movies will fall into two categories: movies about men and movies about women. In the movies about women, most of the plots revolve around fallen women, tramps, prostitutes, or women forced into easy virtue against their will. It's easy to understand why their roles were limited; back in the day, many women didn't work, and since the main goal was to make a respectable marriage, the worst thing that could happen to her-and therefore the juiciest plot for a movie script-would be if she took to the streets and lost her decency. Norma Shearer didn't make those movies. She made regular old dramas, and when she put on the tears, you really felt it. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Their Own Desire, and I understand why. Check her out in this movie, Strange Interlude or Marie Antoinette to see her really shine-and she doesn't take to the streets!