I would agree with many regarding the performances of the principals. They are excellent, and frankly, Rosalind Russell shines in her portrayal of the title character. The film captivated me and kept my interest throughout, even though it ultimately became apparent where it was heading.
So what was disappointing? I felt the script took the easy way out, the politically correct one, the safe one. Even though Harriet Craig clearly explained her motives at the beginning, on the train with her niece, they were minimized and finally overlooked in the interest of respectability. And why was she so obsessed with her house? Because that was the only thing she could truly call her own in the society she lived in. She could hope for no equality with her husband, no career, and ultimately no safety. So she took the only path available to her, married for money and a home where she was the unchallenged queen. Remember, women got the right to vote only 16 years earlier.
Granted, she was very obsessive, and not entirely justified in her approach. But in an egalitarian, enlightened society, she would not have needed that approach. But she must have had lovable qualities. After all her husband clearly adored her until her aunt exposed her and caused him to abandon her. Basically, for the unpardonable right of wanting some security, not only did her husband turn his back on her, but her own blood and others of her own sex.
Well, you might say I'm judging the film with the sensibilities of 2008. But clearly such issues were known in 1936, and probably keenly felt by women of all walks of life. Otherwise Harriet Craig would not have expressed her fears and motives to her niece. So instead of honestly dealing with those fears, those around her who supposedly cared for her, ostracized her, criticized her, talked down to her, acted superior, and turned their backs on her.
And that's why the film is ultimately disappointing. It's like a breath of fresh air when Harriet expresses her fears and counsels her niece. And then piece by piece, her world falls apart because nobody is willing to comprehend the validity of those fears. And the whole story ends predictably, to avoid offending the Hayes code and society at large. What a cop-out!
So what was disappointing? I felt the script took the easy way out, the politically correct one, the safe one. Even though Harriet Craig clearly explained her motives at the beginning, on the train with her niece, they were minimized and finally overlooked in the interest of respectability. And why was she so obsessed with her house? Because that was the only thing she could truly call her own in the society she lived in. She could hope for no equality with her husband, no career, and ultimately no safety. So she took the only path available to her, married for money and a home where she was the unchallenged queen. Remember, women got the right to vote only 16 years earlier.
Granted, she was very obsessive, and not entirely justified in her approach. But in an egalitarian, enlightened society, she would not have needed that approach. But she must have had lovable qualities. After all her husband clearly adored her until her aunt exposed her and caused him to abandon her. Basically, for the unpardonable right of wanting some security, not only did her husband turn his back on her, but her own blood and others of her own sex.
Well, you might say I'm judging the film with the sensibilities of 2008. But clearly such issues were known in 1936, and probably keenly felt by women of all walks of life. Otherwise Harriet Craig would not have expressed her fears and motives to her niece. So instead of honestly dealing with those fears, those around her who supposedly cared for her, ostracized her, criticized her, talked down to her, acted superior, and turned their backs on her.
And that's why the film is ultimately disappointing. It's like a breath of fresh air when Harriet expresses her fears and counsels her niece. And then piece by piece, her world falls apart because nobody is willing to comprehend the validity of those fears. And the whole story ends predictably, to avoid offending the Hayes code and society at large. What a cop-out!