Once upon a time, there were Rules for both women and men. For example, a single man in a long term affair with a woman had damn well be prepared to marry. In the event one was already so encumbered and could not attain a divorce, a very discreet relationship with another woman is acceptable--as long as the man is a gentleman about it and declares so up front.
So what's a man to do if he's not the settling down type? Cary Grant's character proclaims, "A man's got to go by the rules". Or at least make a show of it, and here we have Indiscreet, a lesser-known gem from director Stanley Donen--who might be considered a lesser-known gem himself.
Not so Ingrid Bergman (Anna Kalman) or Carey Grant (Philip Adams). Known for her brilliance as a dramatic actress, she plays (what else?) a famous stage actress. It's a sweet conceit that allows her to poke some fun at her character and herself. It also highlights the abovementioned need for discretion; she's absolutely mobbed for autographs everywhere she goes. (Movies do portray an ideal world, don't they? Oh the irony.)
Cary Grant's performance is a blend of his earlier slapstick silliness and his later turns as undistilled handsome debonair and elegant--as always. There are a few priceless pieces of sillyness. It's hard to miss the scene in which he cuts up dancing a Reel. Soon after that, however, look for a scene in which he shucks his shoes in Bergman's bedroom. Then watch for the look on his face as he gropes for them under the bed.
The supporting cast is almost perfect. Kudo's to David Kosoff, as Carl Banks, the butler/chauffer. I've replayed the scene in which he declares he's a coward hundreds of times, and I still giggle. The only thing that got me was Phyllis Calvert's occasionally strident performance as Kalman/Bergman's sister Margaret. Still, that stridency serves its purpose as contrast to Bergman.
The plot is froth and romantic comedy. Two folks fall in love. No, they decide to fall in love, despite the unhappy fact of his marriage. OK, so two folks fall in love; they have a misunderstanding that could jeopardize their future; they manage to overcome the misunderstanding. The details rely heavily on the Rules mentioned above and so may feel quaint to modern viewers. Try to suspend your modern day morals and lower your shock values when you watch. Otherwise, Bergman's heartbroken outrage at Grant's most gentlemanly perfidy will seem silly and mawkish. If you find yourself tempted to react such a way, remember how you felt the last time you felt betrayed in the arena of love. At the very least, bury those reactions, and relish her attempt at revenge.
Donen builds their romance very well. I particularly like the way he shows the intimacy you can feel in the midst of a phone call. He does it in a corny split-screen scene that will manage to evoke an "Awwww" from the most hard-hearted.
Bergman and Grant are good looking, and so is this picture. It comes as no surprise that Freddie Young (of Dr. Zhivago fame) did the cinematography. They're in various lovely settings, but my favorite is Bergman's London apartment. It's colorful and detailed, without being overwhelming. The rooms seem tailor-made for Ms. Bergman, both elegant and comfortable. The kitchen/breakfast room is quite well done, as is her living room. The latter contains framed playbills along one wall. The characters movements seemed anything but stagey, but I still had a strong sense of how the apartment was laid out, including rooms that went unseen.
Admittedly, it's probably impossible for Cary Grant not to look handsome in a suit. Still, there's an appealing selection of menswear in this film. Even better are the gowns. Forgive the cliche, but they are absolutely timeless. That is, if you don't count Bergman's (hideous) robe that ties at the neck. I suppose I can allow her a dowdy moment.
This may seem to be a (cough) girl movie, but my boyfriend enjoyed it too. Or he claimed he did. (Boyfriends, husbands, and significant others of the world, this is a Good Move and I encourage you to at least pay lip service.) It's a great comfort movie, and is a better bet than much of the fare at your local video store.
If you enjoyed this, I encourage you to see Hitchcock's pairing of Bergman and Grant in Notorious. Also try Stanley Donen's thriller with Grant and Audrey Hepbern in Charade. For more Grant as eye-candy in a light romance with great settings, then go for To Catch a Thief.
Wealthy American Philip Cary Grant and famous actress Anne Ingrid Bergman meet just as Anne insists that all the best men have already been taken. Tho...More at Family Video
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