You'd think a comedy with Howard Hawks' hand guiding it and the great John Barrymore with Carole Lombard, you'd have a great success, but what you get instead is a shrill screaming mess. Over the top performances by the leads and even supporting character actors. Screwball comedy is one thing, but this is a non-stop shrill screamfest with melodramatic overtones so thick it's stomach-churning. I kept waiting for some subtlety and laughter. I was bored. I don't get bored during most classic films. I said to myself, it's only 90 minutes, so I'll stick with it. One of the longest 90 minute comedies I've viewed or rather, endured. There was simply no payoff at the predictable deja vu bookended ending. Amateur screenplay with chaotic pacing just doesn't engage the viewer and over-the-top acting with shrill screaming is just annoying. Very little entertainment value. Disappointed. It's certainly no Bringing Up Baby, but nothing is. 5 stars is generous, but for Hawks and the leads, that's why I'm being so kind. Too bad Hawks wasn't as kind to the viewers.
Review of Twentieth Century
