The HeiressRating:
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The Heiress Reviews
Bravura Performance by de Havilland
Olivia de Havilland plays Catherine, the plain, spinster daughter of a wealthy doctor in 1880's New York City. The doctor has always despised his daughter, because his wife died in childbirth and she believes herself worthless. Enter the dashing but penniless gold-digger Morris, played by Montgomery Clift. Morris learns that Catherine will be well-off as an heiress, and quickly woos her, much to her father's disgust. The two lovers plan to elope one night, and we watch Catherine wait by the window for her hero to come and take her away, but it is not to be. Morris has learned that she renounced her inheritance, and, caring nothing for her, has deserted her. Years pass, and Morris returns to propose again to Catherine, who is now a sadder but much wiser woman.
De Havilland plays Catherine as two very different women: at first she is timid and clumsy; a wallflower who expects nothing from life. In the second half of the story, Catherine is mature, poised, and above all, in complete control of her life. The change can be seen in her posture and speech, as well as her hunger for revenge. She is wonderful, and truly deserved an Oscar. Clift, as the jigalo, is oily and deceitful; he's good, but a little wooden. Ralph Richardson, as Catherine's snooty father, is outstanding. This is a very powerful story of a woman scorned; the last moments of the film are magnificent.
In the hands of a skilled playwright...
Henry James' _Washington Square_ is a much better story- don't bother reading the novel, you will certainly be disappointed! The film is pure art from start to finish- no unnecessary scenes or dialogue. Symbolism abounds including the final scene when Catherine performs a "phallic castration" with her scissors! Excellent film- a true classic.
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