As I watched this film, I found myself struggling to believe the plot of "Merrily We Go To Hell"--but I also had to remind myself that there ARE indeed people who behave exactly like the leads did in this film. Yes, real people CAN be this dumb...and it's REAL dumb! Frederic March plays a reporter and frustrated playwright who spends most of his time intoxicated. He's not a mean drunk, but by anyone's standards he's clearly an alcoholic. So when rich and happy Sylvia Sidney meets and falls in love with this guy you wonder why--what in the world does this lush have to offer her?! But, having worked in a rehab program and in other mental health settings, I know that there are many such people who madly choose a hellish life like this--and hope that, magically, love will make the problem vanish.
At first, March tries to be good and manages to get one of his plays produced. Life looks good for the young married couple--but the alcoholism is just lying dormant. When it does rear its ugly head later in the film, is their love enough to help them through it or does it spell disaster? And, more importantly, will the film makers manage to handle the addiction and co-dependence realistically and avoid the clichés? Well, the film makers decided to do it BOTH ways! While the alcoholism angle was generally played well (especially when the wife finally grew up and realized it was time to leave), by the end, March was suddenly and magically transformed--or so it seemed to me.
Not a terrible film, just not a particularly inspired look at alcoholism and co-dependency. The only big plus this film has is a small early role for Cary Grant--who appears and then disappears almost as quickly.
At first, March tries to be good and manages to get one of his plays produced. Life looks good for the young married couple--but the alcoholism is just lying dormant. When it does rear its ugly head later in the film, is their love enough to help them through it or does it spell disaster? And, more importantly, will the film makers manage to handle the addiction and co-dependence realistically and avoid the clichés? Well, the film makers decided to do it BOTH ways! While the alcoholism angle was generally played well (especially when the wife finally grew up and realized it was time to leave), by the end, March was suddenly and magically transformed--or so it seemed to me.
Not a terrible film, just not a particularly inspired look at alcoholism and co-dependency. The only big plus this film has is a small early role for Cary Grant--who appears and then disappears almost as quickly.