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DVD Unfaithfully Yours (Criterion Collection)
Preston Sturges has his great run in 1940-44, with a series of comedy masterpieces unparalleled in Hollywood film. 1948's Unfaithfully Yours proves that he still had the touch, if only he could have found a supportive studio for his genius. (It would've helped if Unfaithfully Yours had been a hit, which it was not.) Sir Alfred De Carter (Rex Harrison) is a witty, vain orchestra conductor, a celebrated man married to a beautiful woman (Linda Darnell). He becomes convinced of her infidelity, and while he is on the podium during a concert, he fantasizes three homicidal revenge fantasies--all set to the classics.
The conductor looks suspiciously like a self-portrait by Sturges, and the delicious dialogue comes pouring out of Rex Harrison like pearls from a goblet. The film's main disappointment is that it doesn't feature the teeming stock company of character actors that crowd Sturges's earlier pictures (although Rudy Vallee, Lionel Stander, and Edgar Kennedy come through nicely). The film, while morbid, is often laugh-out-loud funny, but it also has something sneakily brilliant to say about the gulf between art and life: how the exquisite timing and perfect mechanics of Sir Alfred's imagination come a-cropper when he actually tries to enact his fantasies. Unfaithfully Yours was remade in a not-bad version with Dudley Moore in 1984, but this one's the keeper. Too bad it couldn't save Sturges--this is the last worthy film in a too-brief career. --Robert Horton
Review(s): DVD Unfaithfully Yours (Criterion Collection)
A nice dark romantic comedy
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.
Unfaithfully yours is a comedy about an orchestra conductor who suspects his wife of having an affair with his assistant. While conducting, he daydreams about ways to exact revenge on his wife. He decides to kill his wife and frame his assistant for her murder. Though things turn out differently than he plans.
The film hsa some humorous moments and the slapstick comedy is a nice touch too.
The DVD contains some great special features also.
There is an interview with Terry Jones, and Director Preeston Sturges' widow, Sandy Sturges.
There is also a photo gallery of production and letters of correspondence between Sturges and the film studios.
There is also Audio commentary James Harvey, Diane Jacobs, and Brian Henderson who are experts on Sturges' films.
Unfaithfully Yours
Preston Sturges conceived, produced, wrote and directed this comic symphony at the peak of his creative powers, deftly combining fast, stinging dialogue with moments of inspired physical comedy. Harrison is in his element, with all his trademark cantankerousness on full display (reminiscent of a much younger Henry Higgins) and Darnell's an ever tolerant vision. Look for immortal comic Edgar Kennedy as a music loving detective.
A Wonderful Criterion Issue
I am biased on this film - one of my favorites, right up there with the best of Hitchcock - so I will only say for the movie itself that image and sound meet the high Criterion standard.
What I was more happily surprised about was the impression the bonus features had on me.
My usual favorite bonus feature is the commentary track, providing interesting tidbits on the production and actors. Although it is quite informative (my only bone to pick is that Linda Darnell was 27, not 32 as stated, when making the movie, so that the age difference between the married couple was actually as significant as it was for the story), I believe it is outshone by two other bonus features.
Terry Jones gives a quirky, heartfelt introduction that conveys a true love for Sturges and his work.
Best of all is Sandy Sturges, Sturges's widow (and fourth wife). It is easy to understand how an erudite genius could love such a woman! Delicate, proper, articulate, self-effacing, diplomatic and blunt, she is worth the price of admission!
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