Despite the low rating and mixed reviews, there was no doubt about seeing 'Goodbye, My Fancy' anyway as part of my quest to see as much of Joan Crawford's filmography as possible. Crawford gave so many great performances, as well as some not so good ones during her twilight period, and Eve Arden was always a plus to any film she was in. Vincent Sherman was an uneven director but did do some very good films such as 'Mr Skeffington' and 'The Damned Don't Cry'.
'Goodbye My Fancy' is not one of those very good films. Actually thought it was towards being of Crawford's weaker films, though she did do worse, and am going to agree with those that felt that she was miscast. That's being said with a heavy heart. It does have its good things, namely two good performances that remarkably rises above their material, but 'Goodbye My Fancy' fails to live up to its potential and Crawford deserved a lot better than this.
Shall start off with talking about the good things. It looks good, the one exception being Arden's frightful hair here that does not flatter her. Crawford looks typically elegant and the photography is at its best luminous. Arden has some nice witty lines.
The two good performances come from Arden and Robert Young. There was no surprise that Arden would be good, she very seldom disappointed and despite deserving better she brought a dry wit and elegance to what she is given. Young has a rather underwritten character but remarkably his acting wasn't bland, actually found it very distinguished and easy to like with him being by far the most rootable of the three leads.
As said already, Crawford didn't work for me. She tries hard, too hard in fact, and the role needed a lighter touch than what she actually gave it. Here she overacts and it overbalances the film in my view, it was like she thought she was acting in a melodrama. Worse was Frank Lovejoy, who really got on my nerves fast to the extent that one is at a loss in understanding what anybody sees in him. Lurene Tuttle could have done with a toning down, too shrill. Very few of the characters are easy to get behind, Matt especially is just obnoxious, due to being annoying or dull. Woody held my attention most and that is namely down to how Arden played her.
Moreover, the script could have done with a lot more bite and also subtlety, as well as wit. Too filmed play-like and on the too heavy side. The story tended to be dull and the primary subplot felt underdeveloped. Will agree too that the ending is a real let down, very contrived with a final decision that doesn't make sense in the slightest and feels like a cheat. Sherman directs with too much of a heavy hand and fails to do any kind of reigning in, while also being quite leaden.
In conclusion, rather lacklustre with two good performances and nice production values but Crawford fans best look elsewhere. 4/10
'Goodbye My Fancy' is not one of those very good films. Actually thought it was towards being of Crawford's weaker films, though she did do worse, and am going to agree with those that felt that she was miscast. That's being said with a heavy heart. It does have its good things, namely two good performances that remarkably rises above their material, but 'Goodbye My Fancy' fails to live up to its potential and Crawford deserved a lot better than this.
Shall start off with talking about the good things. It looks good, the one exception being Arden's frightful hair here that does not flatter her. Crawford looks typically elegant and the photography is at its best luminous. Arden has some nice witty lines.
The two good performances come from Arden and Robert Young. There was no surprise that Arden would be good, she very seldom disappointed and despite deserving better she brought a dry wit and elegance to what she is given. Young has a rather underwritten character but remarkably his acting wasn't bland, actually found it very distinguished and easy to like with him being by far the most rootable of the three leads.
As said already, Crawford didn't work for me. She tries hard, too hard in fact, and the role needed a lighter touch than what she actually gave it. Here she overacts and it overbalances the film in my view, it was like she thought she was acting in a melodrama. Worse was Frank Lovejoy, who really got on my nerves fast to the extent that one is at a loss in understanding what anybody sees in him. Lurene Tuttle could have done with a toning down, too shrill. Very few of the characters are easy to get behind, Matt especially is just obnoxious, due to being annoying or dull. Woody held my attention most and that is namely down to how Arden played her.
Moreover, the script could have done with a lot more bite and also subtlety, as well as wit. Too filmed play-like and on the too heavy side. The story tended to be dull and the primary subplot felt underdeveloped. Will agree too that the ending is a real let down, very contrived with a final decision that doesn't make sense in the slightest and feels like a cheat. Sherman directs with too much of a heavy hand and fails to do any kind of reigning in, while also being quite leaden.
In conclusion, rather lacklustre with two good performances and nice production values but Crawford fans best look elsewhere. 4/10