"The Fan" is a film based very loosely on a story by Oscar Wilde. At first, I was very disappointed in the film...as it's VERY slow. But as I watched, it got better and better. Stick with this one...its payoff is pretty good.
The film begins at the present time. A very elderly lady is attending an auction and she sees something of hers, a very expensive fan, being sold without her permission. The auctioneer withdraws the item and tells her to get some proof it is hers...which is a problem as she's been living abroad and most everyone who knew her in London is dead! Then, she remembers that Lord Darlington (George Sanders) knew her and will be able to vouch for her and the fan. The rest of the story is a flashback to many years ago...and the story of how she got the fan takes a VERY long time!
The reason I enjoyed this film is its final third. The first two thirds is just okay...but all the confusion and unanswered questions are taken care of in the final portion. And, because of that, it's well worth seeing...especially with some lovely acting and a good, though longwinded, script.
The film begins at the present time. A very elderly lady is attending an auction and she sees something of hers, a very expensive fan, being sold without her permission. The auctioneer withdraws the item and tells her to get some proof it is hers...which is a problem as she's been living abroad and most everyone who knew her in London is dead! Then, she remembers that Lord Darlington (George Sanders) knew her and will be able to vouch for her and the fan. The rest of the story is a flashback to many years ago...and the story of how she got the fan takes a VERY long time!
The reason I enjoyed this film is its final third. The first two thirds is just okay...but all the confusion and unanswered questions are taken care of in the final portion. And, because of that, it's well worth seeing...especially with some lovely acting and a good, though longwinded, script.