rented this movie cause blockbuster has a "special"> 3 for $5.99. anyway, the beginning was very brilliant. the brooding, grieving security guard was believably portrayed by john torturro. i could feel the grief driving him slowly insane. it was a very good portrayal of an introvert dealing with such a loss. the 1st hour or so i was riveted by his pain, but then something happened. i guess the director misplaced his notes or something but from the moment harry set foot in that sleazy hotel, the movie went soaring downhill. especially the part with the cops having their meeting to deal with peter killing harry's wife. peter was such a wuss! he wasn't believable as an assassin. too guilt ridden. but to me, this movie had an appropriate ending. he was dropped off at his car in the middle of no where, he tossed all those pics into the wind & then drove off into the sunset! he was finally free, he had revenge! he had an answer. what more of an ending was needed? the guy was a tortured soul & he was driving away to start fresh or become a serial cop killer. the end.
Reviews
2 Reviews
Mr. Skeffington
(1944)
Watching this movie made me grow up. Great movie!
10 November 2004
I think this is one of Bette Davis' best roles ever. I have always been the "beautiful one' in my family also, getting all the attention, neglecting (but still loving my child). This movie is timeless, especially today in our youth worshiping society. It should be required watching for all young teenage girls. The moral is: beauty fades but true love lasts forever. A cliché? Sure, but so what! I cry each time I see this film. It hits me close to home, I always secretly wondered if my daughter would be as beautiful if not more beautiful than me. Mr. Skeffington (played by Claude Rains) is too good to be true, no man would tolerate such rejection from his wife. How did she get pregnant? Also, all the men she constantly entertained in their home! Thats something that didn't make sense to me but the good outweighs the bad in this movie. I know Franny Skeffington was shallow, but what about all those around her? Once her youth & beauty had faded, not only did her so-called admirers & friends disappear but they were so cold & callous about it. This movie woke me up like a slap in the face. I make it a point to try not to look in the mirror more than 3 times a day. :) But I used to sleep with a mirror next to my bed just like Franny did. All women thrive on compliments, etc. But I pity Franny not for losing her beauty, but for losing her innocence. How ironic it was for her to get a children's disease in order to grow up. Having to be told by a therapist that she was old & her only hope was to go back to her husband. The ending was truly inspired! Another movie that has a similar message about beauty & love is "The Enchanted Cottage" (1945) All in all this is a realistic portrayal of a selfish, shallow person and it takes one to know one.............
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