Ann Todd gives a very good performance as the widowed missionary Olivia Howard, who for once in her dull, dutiful life, lets herself go and embarks on an affair with bad guy Mark Bellis, charming painter, con artist, thief, burglar, suspected murderer, you name it, this guy appears to have done it, though that doesn't stop Olivia from falling for him, a far cry from her proper (and boring) late husband. Soon, she lets herself get talked into a blackmailing scheme, involving her friend Susan Courtney (played by Geraldine Fitzgerald), unhappily married to a rising politician, and involved with another man, whose letters to her could ruin both her reputation in society and her husband's career in politics. It all leads to Susan being accused of murdering her husband, thanks to the machinations of Ann, with help from her lover/mentor. Meanwhile, the man she loves and gave up her moral compass for, has been seeing his former girlfriend on the side.
Ann goes through changes in the course of the movie, her appearance reflecting that fact. At first, she looks all dull and dowdy, as befitting her prim and proper lifestyle, but soon after Mark comes into her life, she begins dressing fashionably, changes her hairstyle, even (literally) lets her hair down so he can paint her. Her reluctance to have him stay in her house after her female boarder leaves soon changes to a devil-may-care attitude, and she's not even asking about marriage after a time. She sacrifices everything, gladly, for love; only to have it all come crashing down around her.
Ironically, this happens at a time when Mark is beginning to reform and wants to make a new start. While he wants to become a good man for Ann (thanks to him), she's no longer the good woman she once was.
I won't say another word, except to tell all those looking for an old-fashioned happy ending not to hold your breath, or you'll be a lovely shade of blue.
Ann goes through changes in the course of the movie, her appearance reflecting that fact. At first, she looks all dull and dowdy, as befitting her prim and proper lifestyle, but soon after Mark comes into her life, she begins dressing fashionably, changes her hairstyle, even (literally) lets her hair down so he can paint her. Her reluctance to have him stay in her house after her female boarder leaves soon changes to a devil-may-care attitude, and she's not even asking about marriage after a time. She sacrifices everything, gladly, for love; only to have it all come crashing down around her.
Ironically, this happens at a time when Mark is beginning to reform and wants to make a new start. While he wants to become a good man for Ann (thanks to him), she's no longer the good woman she once was.
I won't say another word, except to tell all those looking for an old-fashioned happy ending not to hold your breath, or you'll be a lovely shade of blue.