Ugh, this film is dull and tedious. It followed the huge box office success and heap of Oscars bestowed upon "Going My Way," and virtually sets out to recreate that film with some minor changes.
One of those changes is the addition of Ingrid Bergman, and thank God for her. I've never been much of a Bergman fan, but I'm so glad she was in this, or I would have slipped into a coma. The best scene in the film is when she teaches a young boy how to fight. I've never seen Bergman so breezy and happy-go-lucky on screen, and the sight of her in her nun's costume bouncing around her office in imitation of a boxer is the only moment of life and energy in this desultory film.
Bing Crosby plays the same role for which he won an Oscar the year before; that is, he plays himself. As in the previous film, he croons a sappy song (in this case "Aren't You Glad You're You"). As in the previous film, there's some attempt at dramatic tension built around a curmudgeonly old man who wants to tear down the church or something. Frankly, I wasn't paying that much attention. As in the previous film.....but you get the picture.
When I had my wisdom teeth removed, my oral surgeon prescribed a hefty dose of Xanax an hour before the surgery to send me into a loopy stupor. This film might have had the same effect on me, and would have saved me a pharmacy co-pay.
Grade: D
One of those changes is the addition of Ingrid Bergman, and thank God for her. I've never been much of a Bergman fan, but I'm so glad she was in this, or I would have slipped into a coma. The best scene in the film is when she teaches a young boy how to fight. I've never seen Bergman so breezy and happy-go-lucky on screen, and the sight of her in her nun's costume bouncing around her office in imitation of a boxer is the only moment of life and energy in this desultory film.
Bing Crosby plays the same role for which he won an Oscar the year before; that is, he plays himself. As in the previous film, he croons a sappy song (in this case "Aren't You Glad You're You"). As in the previous film, there's some attempt at dramatic tension built around a curmudgeonly old man who wants to tear down the church or something. Frankly, I wasn't paying that much attention. As in the previous film.....but you get the picture.
When I had my wisdom teeth removed, my oral surgeon prescribed a hefty dose of Xanax an hour before the surgery to send me into a loopy stupor. This film might have had the same effect on me, and would have saved me a pharmacy co-pay.
Grade: D