Random Harvest

The weepie to end all weepies! The two leads are perfect, the plot twists and turns, and Hollywood 'England' has never looked more lovely.

I'm also fascinated by the opening, given that Coleman had been through WWI, and must have known people with bad shell-shock, even if he escaped it himself. (For a modern take, try Pat Barker's 'Regeneration' trilogy.)

I think one of the reasons this sort of film is so appealing, is because of it's now-dated attitudes to commitment and relationships - you just can't imagine this story (or for that matter Brief Encounter) working nowadays - the protagonists would have taken shortcuts.

But here's to the days when this was the way one behaved!

James Hilton wrote a handful of works whose staying power and emotive intensity compare with the greatest of all written literature. Taken from the great book, "Random Harvest" is one of the most beautiful and tender movies I have ever seen. Flawless acting, memorable cinematography, multi-dimensional characterizations, gorgeous scenery and peerless direction augment the pleasure of witnessing this great film.

For Hilton aficionados, this cinematic gem sparkles and gleams in the sun of Hilton's undying faith in eternal optimism, hope, sacrifice and love. The story is true to the Hilton novel and left me with gratitude rekindled for all of life's great bounties and blessings, not the least of which are the everlasting bonds of love we create and re-create through mortality.

Personally, I find the story parabolic on a deeply significant level: indeed we all are children of a great--yes, royal--family; sometimes we live our mortal lives with a dismissive attitude toward what turn out to be the turning points in our lives; oftentimes it takes us all our lives to find out who we really are; we walk through life constantly "adjusting our glasses" to see more clearly, when the very key is to adjust OURSELVES so that the "glasses" we HAVE help us see clearly; and finally, love DOES conquer all.

See this fabulous movie with a dear one and experience the magic.

Normally, this kind of sentimental film does not appeal to me, but this work makes for an obvious exception. What a beautiful woman Greer Garson was, not just in appearance but also in poise and loveliness of personality with her warm and generous charm. This is a major achievement in movie-making, the likes we will never see again, and, believe me, that is tragic because as a society we are the worse for it as it states that something is lacking in us in general. Ronald Colman was the classic gentleman, a wonderful man whose acting brought out the best that is in all of us. This film was my mother's favorite and I can see why. This is truly a romantic film about two people torn apart by the mind, and yet with hope and faith the couple in love can never be separated forever if there is a will for one to protect the other from harm. What a wonderful and beautiful climax right at the end of the film when Greer Garson exclaims "Smithy" and Ronald Colman is bone-chilled as his mind recovers its memory of lost love when he replies with "Paula." Your heart should melt at this point and if it does not there is something seriously wrong with you as a human being.

...I rented this and now I'd like to own it. It's just plain wonderful.

Despite being endowed with a story by the redoubtable James Hilton, this film is carried by the sheer power of its two stars. Colman (as Smithy/Rainier) and Garson (as Paula/Margaret) are at their luminous best. While the story can seem a bit implausible with too much thought, it is presented with such great truth, sincerity, and momentum that the viewer is swept along effortlessly.

Like other Hilton books and their associated film translations (such as Lost Horizon and Goodbye, Mr. Chips), this movie has an exceptionally memorable and satisfying ending. I wanted to watch the ending over and over, but I'm glad that I resisted in this case - it helped me to retain the film in perspective.

The sad note is Susan Peters, who does a great job of essaying Rainier's young admirer. Peters was paralyzed in a hunting accident not long after this film, and her career and personal life never recovered.

If you've seen and liked the other Hilton adaptations mentioned above, as well as films such as Mrs. Miniver and The Talk of the Town, then you should not miss this. Close to a 10/10.

Period.Even more so than "Casablanca."

The only movie that comes close to "Random Harvest" in sheer heart-wrenching romanticism is"Golden Earrings," with Ray Milland and Marlene Dietrich. Now THOSE were movies!! Yes,I'm stuck in the 40's,and very happy to be there! I cannot get enough of Ronald Colman's voice,especially in this movie.He has the most beautiful inflections of any actor I've heard,on par with Orson Welles,I think,but in a different way. I won't give away any plot twists,but suffice it to say there is one heart-grabbing scene that knocks you out.This movie is not to be missed by sentimental saps who loves black and white movies from the 40's.This is one of the very best.