Ida Lupino was not to direct "not wanted" but it did mark the birth of an auteur ,who made few movies but who never made a truly bad movie.In retrospect,the fact that her time as a director was short-lived (if we do not count the forgettable "trouble with angels" ,her only movie which is not excellent)does not leave you with the impression that her works were unfinished statements .
"Not wanted" is the story of the unwed mother,a subject which was par excellence melodramatic.Many great actresses (Bette Davis,Olivia De Havilland and many more) had already played this kind of role but Lupino gives it a realistic treatment .Her actors are not stars they are the girl/boy-next-door.Sally Forrest and Keefe Brasselle (who teamed up again in " Never fear" ) have spontaneity ,simplicity and sobriety going for them.
The story is a long flashback:Sally has been arrested after taking a baby in her arms;they thought she wanted to kidnap him.She tells her story: her over possessive mother and her irresolute father,her meeting with a failed piano player with whom she falls in love ,the young man who loves her sincerely...
My favorite scene is the very last:Ida Lupino has the woman play the role of the man when he falls ,which is par excellence anti-Hollywood.Maybe the director remembered the woman warming up her love's body in Borzage's "the river".
"Not wanted" is the story of the unwed mother,a subject which was par excellence melodramatic.Many great actresses (Bette Davis,Olivia De Havilland and many more) had already played this kind of role but Lupino gives it a realistic treatment .Her actors are not stars they are the girl/boy-next-door.Sally Forrest and Keefe Brasselle (who teamed up again in " Never fear" ) have spontaneity ,simplicity and sobriety going for them.
The story is a long flashback:Sally has been arrested after taking a baby in her arms;they thought she wanted to kidnap him.She tells her story: her over possessive mother and her irresolute father,her meeting with a failed piano player with whom she falls in love ,the young man who loves her sincerely...
My favorite scene is the very last:Ida Lupino has the woman play the role of the man when he falls ,which is par excellence anti-Hollywood.Maybe the director remembered the woman warming up her love's body in Borzage's "the river".