It is hard not to want to see, well in my case it was actually re-watch (liked it a lot on first watch, but wanted to see it again after years), 'Penny Serenade' with a cast this good, having in particular loved many of Irene Dunne and Cary Grant's performances. Also have liked to loved some of George Stevens' other films, particularly 'Shane', 'Swing Time' and 'A Place in the Sun'. With all that in mind, it was also hard to not have high expectations before and while watching, and was really hoping it would be good considering what it had going for it having seen a fair share of frustrating potential wastes.
'Penny Serenade' was luckily not one of those potential wastes, and the reasons as to why it was seen (cast, director, premise) weren't squandered either. Found it to be a great film that was even better than remembered, with genuine emotional impact and immense likeability. Also thought that mostly it avoided the traps that it easily could have fallen into, considering the type of film (essentially a melodrama, not an easy type of film to nail) it was. A type of film that can be done well, and has been done well numerous times, but has a good deal of dangers evidenced by just as many films falling into those traps.
Maybe 'Penny Serenade' moves too slowly at first, it doesn't find its momentum straight away.
The ending also felt a bit too pat and tacked on.
However, 'Penny Serenade' is very nicely shot and looks like it was made with care and love. Stevens directs with expert control, mostly keeping the story engaging, getting the best out of his cast and stopping the story from going over-the-top on the sentimentality, doing all of this with ease. The music is lovely to listen to and didn't ever find the placement questionable, a good thing seeing as music is a very important thing to talk about when reviewing for me and can find how the music is placed as important as the music itself.
Script is thought-provoking and warm-hearted, with the highlight being Grant's big speech that really brought a lump to my throat. Once it gets going, the story is charming and engaging more often than not, with also a relatability factor that's inspiring yet wrenching the gut worthy, but it's the emotional impact that makes 'Penny Serenade' memorable. This is genuinely poignant stuff without being sentimental-heavy, and it is very difficult to not clutch at your heart or reach for the tissues watching the film.
Furthermore, the characters are ones investing in and relating to and brought to life by the note-perfect cast. Dunne radiates class and Beulah Bondi and especially Edgar Buchannan provide sympathetic and knowing support, but it's a superb Grant at his most heartfelt who sticks out the most. He and Dunne's chemistry is beautifully tender.
All in all, slow start but well worth sticking with, because up until the ending it is a beautiful film. 9/10 Bethany Cox
'Penny Serenade' was luckily not one of those potential wastes, and the reasons as to why it was seen (cast, director, premise) weren't squandered either. Found it to be a great film that was even better than remembered, with genuine emotional impact and immense likeability. Also thought that mostly it avoided the traps that it easily could have fallen into, considering the type of film (essentially a melodrama, not an easy type of film to nail) it was. A type of film that can be done well, and has been done well numerous times, but has a good deal of dangers evidenced by just as many films falling into those traps.
Maybe 'Penny Serenade' moves too slowly at first, it doesn't find its momentum straight away.
The ending also felt a bit too pat and tacked on.
However, 'Penny Serenade' is very nicely shot and looks like it was made with care and love. Stevens directs with expert control, mostly keeping the story engaging, getting the best out of his cast and stopping the story from going over-the-top on the sentimentality, doing all of this with ease. The music is lovely to listen to and didn't ever find the placement questionable, a good thing seeing as music is a very important thing to talk about when reviewing for me and can find how the music is placed as important as the music itself.
Script is thought-provoking and warm-hearted, with the highlight being Grant's big speech that really brought a lump to my throat. Once it gets going, the story is charming and engaging more often than not, with also a relatability factor that's inspiring yet wrenching the gut worthy, but it's the emotional impact that makes 'Penny Serenade' memorable. This is genuinely poignant stuff without being sentimental-heavy, and it is very difficult to not clutch at your heart or reach for the tissues watching the film.
Furthermore, the characters are ones investing in and relating to and brought to life by the note-perfect cast. Dunne radiates class and Beulah Bondi and especially Edgar Buchannan provide sympathetic and knowing support, but it's a superb Grant at his most heartfelt who sticks out the most. He and Dunne's chemistry is beautifully tender.
All in all, slow start but well worth sticking with, because up until the ending it is a beautiful film. 9/10 Bethany Cox