THE CARD (1952) **1/2 Alec Guinness is the nearly amoral young wheeler dealer, but I did say nearly, and so you know he's not going to stay out of the light too long. Glynis Johns is the sadly dye-blond young gold digger dance instructor, but you know she's...well, you never know what Glynis is going to do. They're both always so good that it will be amusing, even if they choose to leave enlightening or edifying or at least fortifying aside for the occasion. Valerie Hobson is the countess, so about the only certainty is that she's going to remain regal. Or will she? It is a bit of a madcap sort of thing, you know. Veronica Turleigh steals all of her scenes as the hard-working no-nonsense ma. So who wins? It's a terrible question, full of all sorts of assumptions that aren't applicable at all, and shouldn't work elsewhere either. We all win, I suppose, unless we choose to lose, which must in such cases be seen as a form of successful endeavour, if not actually winning itself.
back to Brilliant Observations on 1776 Films page, or Index
go back home, or send me email
Reviews won't do it any more! I need sustained brilliance! I want to buy your novel!