Love older films, meaning pre-1970s, though love films of all decades and genres. The premise was really interesting. The cast sounded great on paper. Adore classical music and opera, coming from a background heavily centred around classical music. And really like to love many of Preston Sturges' films. So a large part of me was sure 'Unfaithfully Yours' would at least be an enjoyable film.
'Unfaithfully Yours' is not one of Sturges' very best films, he is not quite at the top of his game like he was in his prime period in the early 40s (my personal favourites of his being 'The Lady Eve' and 'Sullivan's Travels'). It is still a great later effort from him all the same and perhaps his last great one, in a consistently rock solid career that was too short when Sturges died far too young just eleven years later. When it comes to entertaining and deliciously dark looks at suspicion and revenge on film, 'Unfaithfully Yours' is hard to beat and a truly fine example.
It does take a while for 'Unfaithfully Yours' to find its rhythm, perhaps a little too long to do so with the early portions being very slight in terms of narrative.
Can understand too any reservations of Alfred acting too cruelly in the latter stages of the film and admittedly it is on the extreme side, it did fit the premise and the film's themes of suspicion and revenge though.
There is so much to recommend 'Unfaithfully Yours' though. The best asset being the script. Just loved its deliciously sharp wit and acidity, executed with such flair, and the darkness, brutally portrayed in a way that was daring for back then, created genuine tension. Another huge strength is the music, with some of the best use of Rossini, Wagner and Tchaikovsky on any film. They are all amazing pieces in their own way and used extremely effectively, adding to and even enhancing the dark atmosphere, the Rossini being especially well used.
Sturges directs with an ever assured hand, giving the material full impact throughout while not doing so too heavily. The story mostly is compelling with one of the unique structures witnessed on film by me and helped by the script and atmosphere and the performances from all are on the money. As superb as Rex Harrison's intensity and comic timing, in one of his best performances, is and how Rudy Vallee entertains in his role, it is Linda Darnell who comes off most sublimely. The production values are as beautifully crafted as the writing.
All in all, great film. 9/10 Bethany Cox
'Unfaithfully Yours' is not one of Sturges' very best films, he is not quite at the top of his game like he was in his prime period in the early 40s (my personal favourites of his being 'The Lady Eve' and 'Sullivan's Travels'). It is still a great later effort from him all the same and perhaps his last great one, in a consistently rock solid career that was too short when Sturges died far too young just eleven years later. When it comes to entertaining and deliciously dark looks at suspicion and revenge on film, 'Unfaithfully Yours' is hard to beat and a truly fine example.
It does take a while for 'Unfaithfully Yours' to find its rhythm, perhaps a little too long to do so with the early portions being very slight in terms of narrative.
Can understand too any reservations of Alfred acting too cruelly in the latter stages of the film and admittedly it is on the extreme side, it did fit the premise and the film's themes of suspicion and revenge though.
There is so much to recommend 'Unfaithfully Yours' though. The best asset being the script. Just loved its deliciously sharp wit and acidity, executed with such flair, and the darkness, brutally portrayed in a way that was daring for back then, created genuine tension. Another huge strength is the music, with some of the best use of Rossini, Wagner and Tchaikovsky on any film. They are all amazing pieces in their own way and used extremely effectively, adding to and even enhancing the dark atmosphere, the Rossini being especially well used.
Sturges directs with an ever assured hand, giving the material full impact throughout while not doing so too heavily. The story mostly is compelling with one of the unique structures witnessed on film by me and helped by the script and atmosphere and the performances from all are on the money. As superb as Rex Harrison's intensity and comic timing, in one of his best performances, is and how Rudy Vallee entertains in his role, it is Linda Darnell who comes off most sublimely. The production values are as beautifully crafted as the writing.
All in all, great film. 9/10 Bethany Cox