Carole Lombard, Fred MacMurray, John Barrymore and Una Merkel are reasons enough to see any film individually, seeing them together in the same film is enough to make anybody excited. Certainly was myself as my main reason for seeing 'True Confession' was the cast. Also really liked the premise of 'True Confession' and have liked to loved a fair share of early screwball comedies, which done right were witty, funny, charming and easy to like.
'True Confession' turned out for me to be good fun with a lot of merits (primarily most of the cast). Merits that are sizeable enough to just about overcome the weaknesses, that deserved to do better than it did at the time. Didn't love 'True Confession' at the same time, a few assets didn't quite work for me (occasional writing weaknesses and one performance) and sadly they weren't exactly minor. Can definitely see why it has not worked for some. It is not hard to see both opinions on this one, but if asked which category my feelings fall into between "love it", "like it", "mixed feelings", "indifferent to", "disliked it" and "hated it", it would fit solidly into the liked it category.
Starting with what didn't quite work, the story sometimes got silly and on the over-complicated side when more started going on. 'True Confession' for me had occasional script weaknesses where things weren't always followed all the way through. The one that stands out being that the film missed an opportunity to give any kind of reason for the pathological lying and why Lombard's character was incapable of telling the truth.
Barrymore, for personal tastes, while clearly having fun overdoes it in his caricature role, coming over at times as a large slice of ham. The chemistry between him and Lombard did get increasingly over-heated in places but had enough wonderfully mad moments to stop it from getting intolerable.
Lombard however is wonderful and the main reason to see 'True Confession', managing to bring charm to a pathological liar and witty comic timing. MacMurray is solid in a less colourful though far from dull role, he's likeable and the idealism of his character is charming. The chemistry between them, in their last of four films together, has wit and vibrancy and they are very believable as a couple. Wesley Ruggles directs assuredly and keeps things flowing nicely. Visually, 'True Confession' looks lovely, sunny in some places and noirish in others.
Much of the script is razor sharp and the madder it gets it gets funnier as well. The best moments, like the prevention of the repoccession of the typewriter attempt, are hilarious. Oh and one mustn't forget the supporting cast, although Edgar Kennedy is a hoot the standout is Merkel, comedy comes so easily to her and she is just adorable. The story is never dull, benefits from the chemistry between the players and thankfully the silliness and improbabilities are infrequent.
On the whole, good if imperfect fun. 7/10 Bethany Cox
'True Confession' turned out for me to be good fun with a lot of merits (primarily most of the cast). Merits that are sizeable enough to just about overcome the weaknesses, that deserved to do better than it did at the time. Didn't love 'True Confession' at the same time, a few assets didn't quite work for me (occasional writing weaknesses and one performance) and sadly they weren't exactly minor. Can definitely see why it has not worked for some. It is not hard to see both opinions on this one, but if asked which category my feelings fall into between "love it", "like it", "mixed feelings", "indifferent to", "disliked it" and "hated it", it would fit solidly into the liked it category.
Starting with what didn't quite work, the story sometimes got silly and on the over-complicated side when more started going on. 'True Confession' for me had occasional script weaknesses where things weren't always followed all the way through. The one that stands out being that the film missed an opportunity to give any kind of reason for the pathological lying and why Lombard's character was incapable of telling the truth.
Barrymore, for personal tastes, while clearly having fun overdoes it in his caricature role, coming over at times as a large slice of ham. The chemistry between him and Lombard did get increasingly over-heated in places but had enough wonderfully mad moments to stop it from getting intolerable.
Lombard however is wonderful and the main reason to see 'True Confession', managing to bring charm to a pathological liar and witty comic timing. MacMurray is solid in a less colourful though far from dull role, he's likeable and the idealism of his character is charming. The chemistry between them, in their last of four films together, has wit and vibrancy and they are very believable as a couple. Wesley Ruggles directs assuredly and keeps things flowing nicely. Visually, 'True Confession' looks lovely, sunny in some places and noirish in others.
Much of the script is razor sharp and the madder it gets it gets funnier as well. The best moments, like the prevention of the repoccession of the typewriter attempt, are hilarious. Oh and one mustn't forget the supporting cast, although Edgar Kennedy is a hoot the standout is Merkel, comedy comes so easily to her and she is just adorable. The story is never dull, benefits from the chemistry between the players and thankfully the silliness and improbabilities are infrequent.
On the whole, good if imperfect fun. 7/10 Bethany Cox