I know it's just a matter of personal taste, but I'm of the mind that there's one issue with this film to semi-regularly rear its head: the preponderance of the best writing is reserved for the chief star, Cary Grant. It's not that it's not still darkly funny and enjoyable otherwise, but as Grant's Mortimer tries with manic energy to navigate the bizarre scenario he finds himself in, the star - and in turn, those with whom he shares scenes - benefits from a spark of vitality in the feature that elsewhere is rather variable. Quite emphasizing the point, Raymond Massey and Peter Lorre are both outstanding in their portrayals of Jonathan and Dr. Einstein, two figures flush with big personality and presence, yet when they first enter the narrative Grant is absent, and the tone becomes unexpectedly grave and dour; when Grant returns with Mortimer, so does the humor. Whatever the quality of this may otherwise be, I think it's an odd, unfortunate mark against the picture that there should be any such variation.
Yet with that said, thankfully that otherwise quality is extraordinarily high, for 'Arsenic and old lace' is wonderfully fun and entertaining! Wild, joyfully animated performances adjoin exaggerated character writing as scenes are (almost unfailingly) filled with wry situational humor, meta humor, witty banter and cheeky dialogue, delightful gags, excited physical comedy, and/or twists of expectations and the comedy of errors. The story is a blast as newlywed Mortimer returns home to his sweet, beloved aunts and dear, touched Teddy to find the surprise of his life, and events quickly spiral out of control. I don't know how much screenwriters Julius J. And Philip G. Epstein may have deviated from Joseph Kesselring's play, if at all, but all are to be congratulated for a fabulously clever farce. While Grant unquestionably stands out most as he literally and proverbially throws himself about, all his co-stars are generally just as terrific, including not just Massey and Lorre but Priscilla Lane, Jack Carson, Josephine Hull, Jean Adair, John Alexander, and more.
In all other regards the title is splendidly well made, including sets, costume design, hair, and makeup, and stunts. Frank Capra definitely knew his way around an invigorating comedy, and the director broadly maintains a certain fervor about the proceedings that doesn't even dip on rare occasion so much as temporarily change its tune. I do find it interesting that some have remarked on bigger, meaningful themes in the play and movie, for in my opinion this is too frivolous for those notions to especially manifest, though on paper I can see where such folks are coming from. That's beside the point, though: while in some measure I find 'Arsenic and old lace' to be a smidgen imperfect, its high value far outweighs any subjective faults, and those faults subsequently become rather negligible. I'd stop short of saying it wholly demands viewership, but if you're looking for plain old entertainment, overall there's not much going wrong with this. If you have the chance to watch, I'm happy to give this my solid recommendation!
Yet with that said, thankfully that otherwise quality is extraordinarily high, for 'Arsenic and old lace' is wonderfully fun and entertaining! Wild, joyfully animated performances adjoin exaggerated character writing as scenes are (almost unfailingly) filled with wry situational humor, meta humor, witty banter and cheeky dialogue, delightful gags, excited physical comedy, and/or twists of expectations and the comedy of errors. The story is a blast as newlywed Mortimer returns home to his sweet, beloved aunts and dear, touched Teddy to find the surprise of his life, and events quickly spiral out of control. I don't know how much screenwriters Julius J. And Philip G. Epstein may have deviated from Joseph Kesselring's play, if at all, but all are to be congratulated for a fabulously clever farce. While Grant unquestionably stands out most as he literally and proverbially throws himself about, all his co-stars are generally just as terrific, including not just Massey and Lorre but Priscilla Lane, Jack Carson, Josephine Hull, Jean Adair, John Alexander, and more.
In all other regards the title is splendidly well made, including sets, costume design, hair, and makeup, and stunts. Frank Capra definitely knew his way around an invigorating comedy, and the director broadly maintains a certain fervor about the proceedings that doesn't even dip on rare occasion so much as temporarily change its tune. I do find it interesting that some have remarked on bigger, meaningful themes in the play and movie, for in my opinion this is too frivolous for those notions to especially manifest, though on paper I can see where such folks are coming from. That's beside the point, though: while in some measure I find 'Arsenic and old lace' to be a smidgen imperfect, its high value far outweighs any subjective faults, and those faults subsequently become rather negligible. I'd stop short of saying it wholly demands viewership, but if you're looking for plain old entertainment, overall there's not much going wrong with this. If you have the chance to watch, I'm happy to give this my solid recommendation!
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