The old saying goes that there are three rings in marriage: the engagement ring, the wedding ring and suffering. Well, if there's only one thing that the 1939 slice-of-life drama "Made For Each Other" shows, it's that the problems faced by young married couples haven't changed much in the last 70 years. In this tender little film, NY lawyer Jimmy Stewart meets Carole Lombard on the Boston Common. It turns out that they have the mutual irresistibles for each other and get spliced a mere few days later. And then the fun begins, as the newlyweds begin to deal with money problems, mother-in-law issues, job nuisances, a cramped apartment, AND the arrival of the inevitable bundle of joy. In today's culture, this couple would soon be considering a divorce, but Jimmy and Carole bravely slog through, despite some occasional misgivings.... "Made For Each Other" is as sweet and warm a domestic soaper as can be, and the two leads really do float the picture with their boundless charm and charisma. Lombard, 30 here, looks absolutely beautiful (often in stunning close-up), and her character is just so nice and understanding. The picture alternates scenes of gentle humor with scenes of bittersweet warmth, and the character actors here--Lucile Watson, Louise Beavers, Charles Coburn, Ward Bond--are all given moments to shine. The film culminates with a good deal of suspense, too, as a valiant flier braves a storm to deliver serum to Jimmy and Carol's dying son. All in all, then, this is yet another class production from David Selznick, coming out soon before that same year's "GWTW." It should be required viewing for all couples about to take the big plunge.
Review of Made for Each Other
