Good movie but grossly overrated

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

I'm an unabashed Powell/Loy fan. Ever since I watched the Thin Man series a few years ago on TCM, I've been watching everything they appear in. After just watching the lackluster Double Wedding, I was overjoyed to find this movie on the docket as well.Powell is John Prentice, a highly successful and driven lawyer. Loy is his neglected wife (Evelyn), who always seems to come second to his job. When John has to go away on yet another business trip, he is almost seduced by a former client, Mrs, Harrison (Rosalind Russell in her debut). Through a plot quirk, Evelyn thinks he might be having an affair with Harrison so she starts an innocent flirtation with a poet, Larry Kennard (Harvey Stephens), who is actually a ruthless con man. When Evelyn asks Larry for the innocent letters she has written, he refuses and threatens to blackmail her. He soon winds up dead and his girlfriend, Judith, is arrested for the crime. Does Evelyn know more than she is letting on? When John takes on Judith's case it creates some serious tension and anxiety for both Evelyn and us, the viewer.Powell and Loy are amazing in this drama. Unlike the Thin Man movies, the tone is dark and foreboding. This movie is more Manhattan Melodrama than Thin Man. Both leads are fantastic as they try to find a way to make their marriage work as it is crashing down around them. There are no slapstick pratfalls or snappy dialogue. Its a straight drama and Powell and Loy burn up the screen with their talent. I've seen 13 of their pairings (I haven't seen The Senator was Indiscreet which has a Loy cameo) and this is right up there with the first Thin Man and Manhattan Melodrama.The courtroom scene at the end is the best part of the movie. The plot twist and revelations are great without being pandering. John's slow realization of the truth and his reaction to it are a joy to behold both from the character and the actor.

"Evelyn Prentice" is a different film in more ways than one. It's the only real heavy drama piece of the more than dozen movies that William Powell and Myrna Loy made together. And, it's the only one in which Loy's character was the bigger role. She performs it marvelously. It's also out of the character of the Thin Man series and most of the rest of the Powell-Loy pairings which were comedy-crime films or genuine mysteries. IMDb lists this as a drama, mystery and romance. It's a mystery in which the audience in let in on most of the goings-on. So much so, that one can guess the outcome without too much difficulty. So, it doesn't' rank up there with the good mysteries of the period or with the very clever and intriguing Agatha Christie whodunits. But this film has something else that I haven't noticed anyone else comment about. Many call it a romance, but it's more than that. The plot involves a couple – Powell and Loy, who play John and Evelyn Prentice, who are very much in love with each other. Viewers will be quick to notice the workaholic in John, and the developing martyrdom persona of Evelyn. But one very different thing that I noticed about the film was the role of Evelyn's friend, Amy Drexel, played very well by Una Merkel. Some friend! She know that John and Evelyn are deeply in love. Yet, when she sees a handsome man (Lawrence Kennard played by Harvey Stephens) show interest in Evelyn, she encourages Evelyn to see him. We know of Evelyn's true love for John because of her apprehensions and decisions to end her innocent meetings with Lawrence. And, we see the outcome. So, this film makes a point – intentional or otherwise – about one's friends. There's an old saying from years ago in the national campaign against drunken driving. "Friends don't let friends drive drunk." Well, a similar one might apply here, in the plot of this film. "Friends don't encourage friends to step out on spouses they love." Another might be, "Friends don't tempt friends to be unfaithful."There's not a lot of intrigue here, but it's a very good drama with excellent performances by all, especially Loy. Definitely worth seeing. And an especially goof film to watch with friends. And, then raise the point afterwards.

William Powell and Myrna Loy made fourteen films together; "Evelyn Prentice" was their third, released in 1934. Powell plays John Prentice, a busy attorney who isn't spending enough time with his wife Evelyn (Loy) and child; he drifts into an affair with a needy client (Rosalind Russell) whom he has successfully defended in a manslaughter case. Evelyn is being wooed by a so-called poet (Harvey Stephens) who in truth has blackmail in mind. When he presents Evelyn with incriminating letters (though she hasn't had an affair with him, the letters are suggestive), a struggle ensues, and he winds up dead. His girlfriend (Isabel Jewell) is accused.The acting helps what has now become a familiar story. Myrna Loy is absolutely gorgeous and sympathetic as a lonely wife resisting the attentions of another man; and you know that Powell, despite his philandering, cares for her deeply. Una Merkel is delightful as Evelyn's friend.Powell and Loy worked so easily together and by all accounts enjoyed their collaborations, keeping up their friendship even after Powell retired. They're always a joy to watch.

Evelyn Prentice (Myrna Loy) is the neglected wife of a prominent lawyer (William Powell) who briefly takes up with his beautiful client (Rosalind Russell). When Evelyn finds out, she does her own dallying with a conniving poet and playwright (Harvey Stephens) who has a jealous girlfriend (Isabel Jewell). Evelyn's ditsy friend and house guest (Una Merkel) acts as confidant when the dalliance turns disastrous and Evelyn finds herself involved in blackmail and murder. Now, her marriage and the future happiness of her little daughter (Cora Sue Collins) are in jeopardy.This courtroom mystery could have stood fewer melodramatic contrivances, especially toward the end, but the dialogue and characterizations are strong. Far stronger, however, are the remarkable performances from everyone involved. Myrna Loy's quiet desperation is utterly convincing. Powell, good throughout, is especially deft after discovering a stunning secret during the climactic courtroom trial: without a trace of ham, he genuinely looks as if he is about to keel over from shock, as he is forced to go on. Isabel Jewell, eschewing all phony theatrics, is remarkably good during her testimony at the end. Cora Sue is charming as the little girl. These performances distract us from the occasional creaks and groans in the plot and make the movie worth seeing.