Undescribable Perfection

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Absolutely Fantastic

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

At the beginning of The Philadelphia Story, Cary Grant pushes Katharine Hepburn to the ground by putting his hand in her face. With any other actor this would be a vile act against a woman but because it's Cary Grant, it works and thus showing the power of these three acting titans, Hepburn, Grant and Stewart. The Philadelphia Story gives an insight into the lives of the rich and famous, something which would be harder to pull off in later decades not to come off as a metaphorical dick waving display of wealth. I do find myself trying to figure out why this is? Could it be the incredibly high standards of writing and filmmaking craft on display here and the love of these performers; even more so when compared to the poor standard of romantic comedies today?Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn) is not a ditzy socialite. In this role written for Hepburn it's clear that she is a symbol of first wave feminism; wearing pants and an emasculating suit and being an influence on her younger tomboy sister but more importantly it's not to be undermined the complex characterisation of Tracy Lord. Like in Holiday, Grant and Hepburn share some very poignant and hard to decipher dialogue in which he tells her about her standing as a goddess and her lack of human frailty. Despite her ego, she claims in a sincere manner "I don't want to be worshipped, I want to be loved". Under the surface of the usual Cary Grant charm and elegance, C.K. Dexter Haven is one the darker characters Grant ever played. Apparently he "socked" Tracy on occasions, destroyed the cameras of multiple photographers on a boat and is a recovering alcoholic. This is Cary Grant at his most knieving with no remorse and enjoying it, displaying the darkly comic side of The Philadelphia Story.However this is Stewart and Hepburn's film. Macaulay Connor is the moral, do gooder James Stewart is known for (at least at the beginning that is); objecting to having been given the assignment of snooping in on the wedding of a Philadelphia socialite, as opposed to something with more journalistic integrity. He is appalled by the rich and their lifestyle but unlike Jefferson Smith he throws this out the window when he falls in love with Tracy; a piece of subtle cynicism on the movie's part? I also really appreciate the relationship he shares with his work partner Liz Imbrie (Ruth Hussey). Her character is very cynical throughout most of the film but later reveals her more idealist side. She shares a platonic friendship with Macaulay but there are hints they have deeper feelings for each other. Virginia Weidler on the other hand is a real scene stealer. Just look at her speaking French in an overdramatic manner then singing Lydia the Tattooed Lady by the piano; a pointless scene but funny.I can't call The Philadelphia Story a predictable movie as I couldn't see where the story was going at the end. I could have sworn she would end up with Jimmy but at the last minute and totally out of nowhere she goes with Cary and with it coming off as contrived. Likewise a drunken Stewart carrying Hepburn in his arms while singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow is surely one of the greatest things ever caught on celluloid.

The Philadelphia Story (1940): Dir: George Cukor / Cast: Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, James Stewart, Ruth Hussey, John Howard: Hilarious romantic comedy about modern romance within the high class. Katherine Hepburn plays a high society woman who is engaged but her ex-husband appears thus making everyone uneasy. James Stewart plays a reporter whom Hepburn becomes smitten with. While very funny with a variety of personalities director George Cukor expertly presents elements of class and lifestyles. Cukor previously made a version of Romeo and Juliet as well as Camille and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. This is one of his best films. Hepburn is wonderful as a woman seeking real romance and perhaps feels that her engagement to the strict and traditional John Howard isn't what she was seeking after all. She indulges in her free spirit guilt of romance thus placing her in the glaring eyes of sophistication. Cary Grant is hilarious as meddling ex-husband. James Stewart steals scenes as the reporter who spends a drunken evening with Hepburn. Ruth Hussey is superb as his photographer. John Howard plays the potential groom whose love life is about to unravel with two other suitors. It regards marriage and romance but also positioning one's economic status. One could easily observe that in the end, that is what makes news, isn't it? Score: 10 / 10

When I finished watching this flick, the first question on my mind was, "Why didn't I see this sooner?" This is one of the all-time great romance films. It's smart, funny, profound, deep, free-spirited, and electrifying. I had high expectations going into this film, saying that it stars three of the era's greatest stars: Jimmy Stewart, Katherine Hepburn, and Cary Grant. It is safe to say that it surpassed them in every regard possible.Many people groan when they see black-and-white films. They associate them with long, unenjoyable slogs comparable to history assignments. This film is as far away from that as the moon is from Earth. I can safely say I will be watching this film many times in the future, not just because it is a brilliant film, but it is a film I enjoy watching. The writing some of the cleverest I've seen, and the chemistry all these old-school greats share is enjoyable at worst.There are some films that seek to make the viewer feel like they're not watching a movie, that there's no distance between them and the events on-screen. This film is different. This film has no desire to deceive the viewer. It is proud to be a film, and not in the postmodernist, nod-and-wink way. It embraces what it is. It wants to entertain its viewers for two hours and leave them with pep in their step. And that's exactly what it does.The story centers around a divorced, wealthy Philadelphian woman, Tracy Lord, played by Hepburn, who is set to marry again. As this is a big event, a gossip newspaper wants the inside skinny, so its leader sends a reporter and a photographer, Mike and Liz- played by Stewart and Ruth Hussey, respectively, and who have a fair bit of unresolved sexual tension- to get into the manor. But they cannot do this on their own, as the family does not want anyone but immediate family on the grounds during the wedding. Thankfully, they have someone to help them out: Lord's first husband, played by Cary Grant.Though the film takes place over a relatively small amount of physical area, it is grand and epic and fulfilling in every regard. There are a lot films that make me wish they were longer and more ambitious. This film is those dreams being fulfilled. There are so many layers, nuances, and complexities, but nothing feels forced of unnecessary. It doesn't play down to the audience, but it doesn't leave them hanging either. It is a perfect balance in every regard.But a perfect balance means naught if it not accompanied by a number of moments that capture the audience's attention, that the audience is sure to remember after they move on with their lives. Thankfully, this movie has plenty of those as well. One immediately springs to mind.It is when Tracy introduces herself to Mike and Liz. She found out they were there from her ex-husband, who informed her that if she gets rid of them and doesn't allow them to report on her wedding, he will give them an even juicer story: that of her suspiciously Tywin Lannister-looking father being caught with a young dancer. Reluctantly, she backs off and allows them into her house. But she does not show them who she really is, at least not at first. She is cold, calculating, and fiercely independent, but she acts like a naïve old-fashioned lady. In a lesser movie, this bit could have come off as contrived and lame. But in this movie, thanks both to great writing and a great actress, it comes off as equal parts enjoyably awkward and deeply disturbing.The part immediately before this, where Tracy's younger sister acts like some precocious princess, is pretty great too.And this moment, along with many others, are meaningful because unlike other romance films, this one keeps the audience guessing. It is not clear what is going to happen, so the audience has to grip tight to every moment. It's masterful.And a large part of that has to do with what I can only describe as a 'love square'.'Love triangle' has become a word of death among many intellectual and pseudo-intellectual circles. This is not without reason. Most love triangles are in fact, awful. They are worthless, meaningless, and cancerous. They invade good stories (looking at you, Hunger Games) and drag bad ones down even further. They are cheap cash grabs that serve no narrative purpose whatsoever. But they do not have to be. A good love triangle- or love square- can add intrigue and depth, and that's exactly what this one does. It does not drag the film down, but rather make it even better. All the good parts of these types of situation are here, and all the bad parts are mercifully absent. That's equal parts commendable and outstanding.And it makes me hate bad love triangles even more.All in all, this film is one of the greatest of all time. If I ever re-do my top 100 films of all time, this one is going to be there. The music, the editing, and the directing are first-class. The acting and the writing are unbelievably good. Anyone who has grown tired of terrible romance films should check this one out.

The Philadelphia Story is perhaps the greatest Romantic Comedy of all time. Katherine Hepburn is wonderful I might even go as far as to say its one of Katherine's greatest ever roles. She plays a very very funny Tracy Lord, she previously played this role on stage just about 1 year previously and in the film she was just as amazing. She spends the whole movie taking the mickey out of Carry Grant and Jimmy Stewart. Carry Grant plays a reporter who is in love with Tracy, and Jimmy plays Tracy's ex husband. Excellent support from Virgina Weidler and Ruth Hussey.A Hilarious film with some wonderful scenes. I can't recommend it enough. 10 out of 10.