The story sounded interesting on paper. The cast was the very meaning of star-studded and full of talent, with Barbara Stanwyck, Ava Gardner and James Mason having given many good and more performances. Mervyn LeRoy was a more than capable director and was responsible for some great films, especially 'Gold Diggers of 1933', 'Random Harvest' and 'Waterloo Bridge' (haven't seen 'Little Women' in a while but have always liked it).
'East Side, West Side' does not see the best work of all involved, Gardner is a big bright spot and the film is at its strongest when she is on screen but there are far better representations of Mason in particular. Found it to actually be a case of a film promising more than it delivered, it delivers well on quite a number of things don't get me wrong but because some elements flounder too the potential wasn't followed all the way through.
As said, there are things that 'East Side, West Side' does very well in. It is beautifully produced and shot, the camera clearly loving Gardner especially, and Miklos Rozsa's music score is sumptuously orchestrated and sweeping without being overly-syrupy. LeRoy has some assured moments in his directing and there are many moments of genuine wit and sophistication. The story is a long way from perfect, but it has fun and suspenseful moments. There is a great scene between Gardner and Stanwyck especially, with Heflin's brutal scene in the car close behind.
Most of the cast come off well, with ever glamorous Gardner stealing the film in a performance filled with energy and allure. Stanwyck makes the most of her one-dimensional role and gives it a lot of nobility. Cyd Charisse brightens things up too and Van Heflin brings intensity to his role. Gale Sondergaard is amusing.
However, Mason is not really on top form. He has a pretty colourless characters and underplays it to the point that he looks like sleepwalking. He and Stanwyck don't have a lot of chemistry together, while the writing can get very soapy and the melodrama over-heated to breaking point.
While 'East Side, West Side' is not dull as such, it does suffer from the story being too busy and having too much going on. The film can feel rushed as a result, especially the too prematurely resolved mystery subplot that is given too short shrift, and the too hasty relationship between Heflin and Stanwyck, even for love at first sight it felt too fast.
Concluding, worth seeing but a long way from a must. 6/10
'East Side, West Side' does not see the best work of all involved, Gardner is a big bright spot and the film is at its strongest when she is on screen but there are far better representations of Mason in particular. Found it to actually be a case of a film promising more than it delivered, it delivers well on quite a number of things don't get me wrong but because some elements flounder too the potential wasn't followed all the way through.
As said, there are things that 'East Side, West Side' does very well in. It is beautifully produced and shot, the camera clearly loving Gardner especially, and Miklos Rozsa's music score is sumptuously orchestrated and sweeping without being overly-syrupy. LeRoy has some assured moments in his directing and there are many moments of genuine wit and sophistication. The story is a long way from perfect, but it has fun and suspenseful moments. There is a great scene between Gardner and Stanwyck especially, with Heflin's brutal scene in the car close behind.
Most of the cast come off well, with ever glamorous Gardner stealing the film in a performance filled with energy and allure. Stanwyck makes the most of her one-dimensional role and gives it a lot of nobility. Cyd Charisse brightens things up too and Van Heflin brings intensity to his role. Gale Sondergaard is amusing.
However, Mason is not really on top form. He has a pretty colourless characters and underplays it to the point that he looks like sleepwalking. He and Stanwyck don't have a lot of chemistry together, while the writing can get very soapy and the melodrama over-heated to breaking point.
While 'East Side, West Side' is not dull as such, it does suffer from the story being too busy and having too much going on. The film can feel rushed as a result, especially the too prematurely resolved mystery subplot that is given too short shrift, and the too hasty relationship between Heflin and Stanwyck, even for love at first sight it felt too fast.
Concluding, worth seeing but a long way from a must. 6/10