Hearts Divided (1936)
** (out of 4)
Claude Rains masterful performance as Napoleon is wasted in this rather bland mess that was clearly meant to be a showcase for star Marion Davies. In the film, Napoleon sends his brother Bonaparte (Dick Powell) to America where he is to negotiate $20 million for the Louisiana Territory. Once there, he ends up teaching French to the beautiful Elizabeth Patterson (Davies) and eventually falls in love with her, which doesn't sit too well with his brother. It's well known that Davies felt at ease with a good comedy but the costume dramas made her nervous and that's obvious here in this film, which besides a few good things turns out to be a complete mess. Based on true events, the movie changes history around to fit the story so those looking for the truth might want to settle with a book on the subject. Hearst obviously thought Davies could handle the material but she can't and sadly she comes off looking pretty weak her. There wasn't a single scene where I believed her as this character as she didn't look the part nor was she able to act it. Powell, selected by Davies, isn't any better and often just appears to be modeling for the camera. The two of them have absolutely no chemistry together and this really kills the love story trying to be pushed here. The main reason to watch this film is for Rains performance, which is another great one by the character actor. He does a great job at filling the part of Napoleon and one can't help but wish the entire movie be built around him. Rains plays the character quite low but that power (or evilness) is easily viewable just by looking at his eyes. The film isn't helped any by some really silly dialogue or rather lampoonish scenes including one where a group of men follow Davies character up a tree. In the end, there might have been a good story somewhere here but one can't help that the producers didn't find it.
** (out of 4)
Claude Rains masterful performance as Napoleon is wasted in this rather bland mess that was clearly meant to be a showcase for star Marion Davies. In the film, Napoleon sends his brother Bonaparte (Dick Powell) to America where he is to negotiate $20 million for the Louisiana Territory. Once there, he ends up teaching French to the beautiful Elizabeth Patterson (Davies) and eventually falls in love with her, which doesn't sit too well with his brother. It's well known that Davies felt at ease with a good comedy but the costume dramas made her nervous and that's obvious here in this film, which besides a few good things turns out to be a complete mess. Based on true events, the movie changes history around to fit the story so those looking for the truth might want to settle with a book on the subject. Hearst obviously thought Davies could handle the material but she can't and sadly she comes off looking pretty weak her. There wasn't a single scene where I believed her as this character as she didn't look the part nor was she able to act it. Powell, selected by Davies, isn't any better and often just appears to be modeling for the camera. The two of them have absolutely no chemistry together and this really kills the love story trying to be pushed here. The main reason to watch this film is for Rains performance, which is another great one by the character actor. He does a great job at filling the part of Napoleon and one can't help but wish the entire movie be built around him. Rains plays the character quite low but that power (or evilness) is easily viewable just by looking at his eyes. The film isn't helped any by some really silly dialogue or rather lampoonish scenes including one where a group of men follow Davies character up a tree. In the end, there might have been a good story somewhere here but one can't help that the producers didn't find it.