The Lady Eve

The Lady Eve

The Lady Eve is a film that I had been very much looking forward to getting around to watching, particularly after how much I loved Preston Sturges' Sullivan's Travels. I can happily say that The Lady Eve not only met my expectations but surpassed them. I found The Lady Eve to be a thoroughly delightful film and the sort of that we sadly don't get anymore.

The film centres on Jean Harrington, a crafty young con artist, who along with her father and his partner in crime Gerald, plan to fleece Charles Pike. Charles is the heir to an Ale company who is incredibly rich and naïve as well as being an expert in snakes. However, for Jean, even the best laid plans can go slightly wrong as she falls in love with Charles. Everything is going well until Charles' suspicious minder Muggsy finds out the truth about Jean, leading to Charles dumping her. Scorned by this, Jean decides to get her own back by re-entering his life masquerading as Lady Eve Sidwich with hilarious results. The Lady Eve has a wonderful script. There are so many wonderful scenes in this film, with the scene where Jean provides commentary on how the other women on the cruise are trying to attract Charles' attention being my absolute favourite scene. While the second act of the film is a bit weaker due to how it stretches the credibility of the plot, it is still certainly fun. This is something that probably won't bother me when I get round to re-watching it at some point in the future. The dialogue is also wonderful. It's incredibly witty and very funny.

The Lady Eve is a film packed full of great performances. Barbara Stanwyck is on fine form here in the role of Jean. She just radiates charm and a playful sexiness. Her comic timing is also excellent. She's just so effortlessly brilliant. Henry Fonda is an actor who I usually associate with more serious roles. Therefore, it was a pleasant surprise to discover that he's also terrific at comedy. His shy confusion when hit with Stanwyck ramping up the playfulness is a delight to behold. Their chemistry doesn't just crackle, it sizzles. William Demarest and Charles Coburn are also excellent in this film, receiving many great scenes and lines. Preston Sturges' direction is also wonderful. Its refined, elegant and never distracts which really helps the story.

Overall, The Lady Eve is a wonderful film that, despite a few minor gripes, is an essential screwball comedy. Its well directed, has a fun story and wonderfully witty dialogue that is guaranteed to get laughs. The performances are superb throughout, with some of the cast giving some of the best performances of their careers. The Lady Eve is a film that I will definitely be coming back to again and I simply cannot wait. A delight!

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