I saw this movie when I was a teenager when it first came out. I didn't know a lot about Gable or Lombard at the time, but I had seen some of their films since I was getting into old movies at the time. Since I only knew a little about them, I loved the movie.
Now watching it in 2013, I still enjoyed it, but I agree with many other reviewers that too much fiction was added for the sake of entertainment. I have read biographies of Gable and the book the film was based on, but that was YEARS ago, so now even watching it last night, I had forgotten how much was fiction and how much was reality. For example, I suspected that the courtroom scene when Lombard was coming in to defend Gable for his paternity suit in the manner she did was totally fabricated, but other parts of the film made me wonder whether they could have been true.
Someone in the board discussion posted a link where the screenwriter Barry Sandler discusses the film. I would like to post it here too since I enjoyed the insight I received from it. It helps to answer some of the many questions other reviewers have asked. It's: jeffcramer.blogspot.com and then click on the right where it lists names. Go to Barry Sandler.
Regarding the music, even though the Michel Legrand love theme was used very often, I have always enjoyed it. It didn't bother me that it was a bit repetitive.
Sure, it's a flawed film, but it's fun. If you can put aside the truth and watch it for the story, it's fine.
I do think Brolin did a magnificent job in capturing Gable's essence and I think Clayburgh (who died before her time) was also good.
Now watching it in 2013, I still enjoyed it, but I agree with many other reviewers that too much fiction was added for the sake of entertainment. I have read biographies of Gable and the book the film was based on, but that was YEARS ago, so now even watching it last night, I had forgotten how much was fiction and how much was reality. For example, I suspected that the courtroom scene when Lombard was coming in to defend Gable for his paternity suit in the manner she did was totally fabricated, but other parts of the film made me wonder whether they could have been true.
Someone in the board discussion posted a link where the screenwriter Barry Sandler discusses the film. I would like to post it here too since I enjoyed the insight I received from it. It helps to answer some of the many questions other reviewers have asked. It's: jeffcramer.blogspot.com and then click on the right where it lists names. Go to Barry Sandler.
Regarding the music, even though the Michel Legrand love theme was used very often, I have always enjoyed it. It didn't bother me that it was a bit repetitive.
Sure, it's a flawed film, but it's fun. If you can put aside the truth and watch it for the story, it's fine.
I do think Brolin did a magnificent job in capturing Gable's essence and I think Clayburgh (who died before her time) was also good.