Intro.
I've gotten into the habit of always keeping a pen and a pad of paper with me when I watch old movies now. Sometimes after a movie, I'll find a page covered in notes. Other times, there won't be many, as I've been completely immersed in the story. Only a very few times do I find a blank page, but such is the case with None But the Lonely Heart. I'd like to say it was because the film was so engaging, but sadly, it was the opposite for me. Although there is some wonderful acting, it does little to help the plot or the immensely slow progression. Still, it deserves a write-up, so here goes. Overview
None But the Lonely Heart opens with Ernie Mott (Cary Grant) - a carefree, wandering vagrant. He doesn't have any plans, doesn't have a real job, doesn't seem to have much going for him at first. But as he returns to his home in a slum of London, we realize that he has one great talent - he can make friends with anyone. Everyone, it seems, loves Ernie, and he makes his money doing odd jobs. Most of all he both loves and hates his mother, Ma Mott (Ethel Barrymore). Mainly he hates that she wants him to settle down and make something of himself. Once he discovers she has cancer, he decides to try and make good by helping her run her general store. It's far from easy though, as you can't sell to people who don't have money. Both Ernie and Ma are offered roles in some local illegal activities and we see what each one will do to survive. The film ends with Ma on her deathbed and Ernie realizing he can't run from responsibilities forever.
Highlights and Other Considerations
Ethel Barrymore won an Oscar for her performance in None But the Lonely Heart. It was her first film in a number of years, and marked her return to Hollywood. Cary Grant was nominated for his role as Ernie, but did not win. Both of them turn in great performances - you truly feel that they have become these real, though not always likable, characters. I read a review on IMDb about Grant's performance - apparently he felt closer to people like Ernie and had more in common with them than he did with the usual debonair men he usually portrayed. It's films such as None But the Lonely Heart that make me feel like I can never be a movie critic, since I often disagree with them. I didn't like the film. It was slow, long and not very focused. I can appreciate dark dramas with definite plot points or well-done character studies, but this film seems to be somewhere in the middle. I wanted to see more into the relationships of this film or maybe even something more substantial happen in terms of plot. Critics love this film, but fans didn't - it was a box-office bomb when it was released. Some would argue that it was because Grant was cast against type. I'm not so sure. There are plenty of instances where actors cast against type did extremely well: when perpetual good-guy John Wayne was cast as the bad guy, he turned in one of his best performances in Red River. Likewise, Humphrey Bogart broke from his usual roles in gangster films and hard-boiled detective dramas when he was cast as a romantic lead and completely redefined his career and the course of American film. Surely no one can forget Rick Blaine in Casablanca. I think Cary Grant did a wonderful job and was a natural in his role, but I wanted more. I wanted more depth, more story, more substance. Perhaps I will feel differently after another viewing, but I feel like a fangirl in this case because I can't see what the critics hail.
Review and Recommendation
I can't recommend this film until I've seen it again. An important film, it marked the return of legendary actress Ethel Barrymore, and features Cary Grant in an unusual character role that he brings to life effortlessly. This film will doubtlessly be of interest to Barrymore fans and some die-hard Grant fans, but for now, I'm going to withhold judgment. Side note: There's also a beautiful, haunting song by Tchaikovsky called "None But the Lonely Heart" that was recorded later with lyrics. If you get a chance to listen, it's well worth it. I think it could have even been Ernie Mott's theme song. Something to consider!
