Review: Mr. and Mrs. Smith

The loving but too-frequently quarrelling married title couple (played by Robert Montgomery and Carole Lombard) find out that their marriage isn’t legal due to a technicality. Montgomery subsequently offends Lombard who then seeks someone else, while Montgomery tries his best to win her back. Gene Raymond plays Montgomery’s straight-laced friend and business partner who nonetheless decides to swoop in on Lombard for himself.

 

Semi-obscure 1941 Alfred Hitchcock (“The 39 Steps”, “Strangers on a Train”, “Vertigo”) comedy is quite divisive amongst the fandom, and I can understand why. The Master’s only screwball comedy, it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea and the director was talked into doing the project by star Carole Lombard. Personally, I think it’s a solid film of its type and era, and better than some of Hitchcock’s more typical and high-profile films. Some will scoff at it for being a bit minor key and predicated on two people’s easily solvable communication issues. However, if you can get past that as well as Robert Montgomery’s blandness, this is actually good fun. It’s definitely a departure from even Hitchcock’s other comedically-driven films, as it’s a much lighter affair. I will say that anyone could’ve been at the helm here, it’s not particularly indicative of its maker, but it’s an enjoyable romp nonetheless. The best thing is to forget about Hitchcock altogether, then either this style of comedy will work for you or it won’t. For the most part it worked just fine for me.

 

In a role originally intended for Cary Grant (who would’ve been perfect), Robert Montgomery is a bit of a boring grouch here but Carole Lombard shows a heck of a lot more evidence of talent and charisma. There’s also a perfect small part for Jack Carson as an associate of Montgomery. I particularly liked the funny turn by Betty Compson as the very hungry Gertie. The premise is clever and cute so long as you get past the idea that the conflict could easily be solved through mere communication. There’s a great bit where Lombard and a date (played by a game Gene Raymond) get stuck on a carnival ride in the rain, and a subsequent bit where she gets him liquored up is funny too.

 

Scripted by Norman Krasna (“White Christmas”, “Let’s Make Love”), this is a light affair and very much of its time and less indicative of its director. Still, I rather liked it and would’ve liked it rather more had someone more compelling and charismatic than Robert Montgomery been in the lead. Still an enjoyable film and in some quarters underrated. Not great Hitchcock (I’ve got it coming in at a respectable 19th out of his 52 films) but it’s “Rich and Strange” done well.

 

Rating: B-

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