The only reason I rented "Ruby Gentry" in the first place was because the almighty Charlton Heston was in it, but not even he could save it. I got a little suspicious when I saw Jennifer Jones' name in the opening credits. After seeing her awful performance in "Duel In The Sun (1946)" just a few days earlier, I can honestly say she is not one of my favorite actresses, that's for sure. Her portrayal of a Mexican was the most unconvincing I've seen, apart from... well, Charlton Heston in "Touch Of Evil (1958)". Sorry Charlton, but you could never be a believable Mexican. Not even with a little moustache.
Anyway, "Ruby Gentry" reminded me a lot of "Gone With The Wind (1939)" for some reason. It's about a woman (Jones) marrying a man (Karl Malden) instead of the bloke she truly loves (Heston). I don't want to spoil it for anyone, so let's just say the movie is not nearly as good as the story and the cast might suggest. Let's go through the flaws, shall we?
Firstly, there's Jennifer Jones. Not a very good performance. Second, Charlton Heston's role. Letting him play such a one-tracked character is an insult to the greatest actor of all time. I don't understand how he could choose to do this movie. I don't know. He never gets a chance to prove his might, Heston comes off much better when he plays a more three-dimensional character, like he did in for example "Ben Hur (1959)". Finally, there's the finale. It's so boring and conventional I don't even want to talk about it.
Karl Malden, however, does an excellent job, but that doesn't help much. All in all, a movie that had great potential and a promising cast, but I'm afraid they screwed it up big time.
Anyway, "Ruby Gentry" reminded me a lot of "Gone With The Wind (1939)" for some reason. It's about a woman (Jones) marrying a man (Karl Malden) instead of the bloke she truly loves (Heston). I don't want to spoil it for anyone, so let's just say the movie is not nearly as good as the story and the cast might suggest. Let's go through the flaws, shall we?
Firstly, there's Jennifer Jones. Not a very good performance. Second, Charlton Heston's role. Letting him play such a one-tracked character is an insult to the greatest actor of all time. I don't understand how he could choose to do this movie. I don't know. He never gets a chance to prove his might, Heston comes off much better when he plays a more three-dimensional character, like he did in for example "Ben Hur (1959)". Finally, there's the finale. It's so boring and conventional I don't even want to talk about it.
Karl Malden, however, does an excellent job, but that doesn't help much. All in all, a movie that had great potential and a promising cast, but I'm afraid they screwed it up big time.