This saga based on the novel by columnist Sheila Graham is the story of her relationship with troubled writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. For a large percentage of the first half of the film, Gregory Peck is charming, romantic yet brooding. He's been having issues in his writing career and turns to Hollywood where he is eventually fired and turns to excessive drink, an issue that leads to a violent episode with his lover, Sheila Graham (Deborah Kerr), a woman dealing with her own insecurities and at her wit's end of how to help him. In one early dramatic scene, she confesses the truth about her past, being an orphan, and making up an entire history in order to achieve some dignity and create a reputation as her career as a journalist takes off. These are two attractive people who have far too many issues to be in a successful romance, and even though they seem to live in luxury, that doesn't necessarily make them happy people.
Fitzgerald mentions to Graham that his wife, Zelda, is in a mental institution, but Zelda is never seen and only briefly talked about. they both influence each other in happier moments, and like in "From Here to Eternity" (with Burt Lancaster), Kerr shares a romantic beach scene with Peck. the explosive emotions of the film are aided by the lush cinemascope photography, luxurious sets and Franz Waxman's gorgeous musical score. Kerr and Peck are absolutely gorgeous together while this seems a romantic, but when the neuroses of their characters take over, it brings out an ugliness that no amount of physical beauty can repair.
The legacy of both stars has Kerr seen as feisty but sexless, and Peck as always heroic and noble. But behind Kerr's prim demeanor, there has always been a lioness, and behind Peck's image of a strong, quiet man of grace, there was the desire to show humanity's Dark Side. The actor who has one historical Acclaim as Atticus Finch is known for only one villainous role, Josef Mengele in "The Boys from Brazil", and while he is certainly no hideous villain like that here, the scene where he attacks Kerr is quite horrifying especially as he ridicules her for her past then threatens to kill her, destroying her bedroom while looking for a gun.
I can't vouch for the accuracy of the script as being true to Graham and Fitzgerald's story, but as a drama of Hollywood's effect on the human psyche, it is intense and especially well acted. Eddie Albert offers fine support as a confidant to both, providing much-needed comic relief when it is definitely required. what this does Express is the darkness that comes through in artists of Fitzgerald's temperament, and after reading the story of his tempestuous relationship with wife Zelda, it does indeed ring true. The theme of the film shows that sometimes the only way to cure emotional ailments it's you had a complete breakdown, which causes a necessary rebuilding. Superb direction by Henry King make this an unforgettable A picture that hits all the right emotions.
Fitzgerald mentions to Graham that his wife, Zelda, is in a mental institution, but Zelda is never seen and only briefly talked about. they both influence each other in happier moments, and like in "From Here to Eternity" (with Burt Lancaster), Kerr shares a romantic beach scene with Peck. the explosive emotions of the film are aided by the lush cinemascope photography, luxurious sets and Franz Waxman's gorgeous musical score. Kerr and Peck are absolutely gorgeous together while this seems a romantic, but when the neuroses of their characters take over, it brings out an ugliness that no amount of physical beauty can repair.
The legacy of both stars has Kerr seen as feisty but sexless, and Peck as always heroic and noble. But behind Kerr's prim demeanor, there has always been a lioness, and behind Peck's image of a strong, quiet man of grace, there was the desire to show humanity's Dark Side. The actor who has one historical Acclaim as Atticus Finch is known for only one villainous role, Josef Mengele in "The Boys from Brazil", and while he is certainly no hideous villain like that here, the scene where he attacks Kerr is quite horrifying especially as he ridicules her for her past then threatens to kill her, destroying her bedroom while looking for a gun.
I can't vouch for the accuracy of the script as being true to Graham and Fitzgerald's story, but as a drama of Hollywood's effect on the human psyche, it is intense and especially well acted. Eddie Albert offers fine support as a confidant to both, providing much-needed comic relief when it is definitely required. what this does Express is the darkness that comes through in artists of Fitzgerald's temperament, and after reading the story of his tempestuous relationship with wife Zelda, it does indeed ring true. The theme of the film shows that sometimes the only way to cure emotional ailments it's you had a complete breakdown, which causes a necessary rebuilding. Superb direction by Henry King make this an unforgettable A picture that hits all the right emotions.