Intro.
Now, Voyager is one of those movies I've heard referenced but never had a chance to see. It seems to come up any time Bette Davis is mentioned and also happens to pop up in questions on the game Scene It: Turner Classic Movies Edition. It was on a few nights ago and I recorded it on a whim. Last night I had some time to myself and took a break from my November writing to watch. What a fascinating film!Overview
Charlotte Vale (Bette Davis) is the spinster aunt in the very wealthy, very prominent Vale family of Boston. She lives with her aging mother, Mrs. Vale (Gladys Cooper), who had two sons and then much later in life had Charlotte. As the film opens, nervous and emotionally battered Charlotte is met at home by her sister in law, Lisa (Ilka Chase), and a famous psychiatrist, Dr. Jaquith (Claude Rains). After meeting her controlling mother, they meet agitated Charlotte, and Dr. Jaquith talks to her up in her room for some privacy. Charlotte is in the middle of a nervous breakdown and goes with Dr. Jaquith to his country sanitorium for some rest and therapy. She makes remarkable progress, even losing some weight and realizing that she doesn't need glasses (she was just hiding behind them). She gains enough confidence to go out and try something, so Dr. Jaquith books her on a cruise to South America. On the first shore trip, Charlotte shares a cab with the only other single passenger, dashing Jerry Durrance (Paul Henreid). As they spend the afternoon together, Charlotte discovers that Jerry is married and has two little girls. Although initially disappointed, Charlotte and Jerry wind up forming a close friendship which, with the help of a car accident that forces them to spend the night in a cabin together, blossoms into romance. But Jerry can't get a divorce from his controlling (and also ailing) wife and Charlotte must go back home to face her mother again. Charlotte asserts her independence from her mother at last, but their final fight ends with her mother dying from a heart attack. Racked with guilt, Charlotte goes back to the sanitarium, where she befriends a twelve-year old girl (Tina) who is exactly how Charlotte was at that age (right down to the mother problems). Charlotte becomes her caregiver and invites her to live with Charlotte in Boston, in a home where she will be wanted and respected. The fact that the girl is Jerry's youngest daughter is what makes this seemingly happy ending very dark and very complicated.Highlights
There is good reason why this film is considered Bette Davis' tour de force. She is incredible as Charlotte, both strong and vulnerable, coming into her own while still holding onto that troubled self-consciousness. Her transformation and wonderful presence really make this film. What's so remarkable is her subtlety as she plays this role. She makes Charlotte more than the conventional "basket-case" heiress who makes a breakthrough. We can see that she is still vulnerable under that sarcasm while on the tour of South America and while taking care of Tina, she is also taking care of herself. Also stand-outs in their performances are Paul Henreid and Claude Rains. Rains was reportedly not going to do the picture initially, but after his part was built up, he took it and did a marevellous job. I wasn't sure at first how believable he'd be as a psychiatrist (maybe I have him stuck in my head as Capt. Renault), but he does a great job and is really fun to watch. Paul Henreid is equally good as Jerry, making his character both lovable and easy to hate. He makes Jerry a round, dynamic character instead of playing him off as the trapped husband. I especially enjoyed Tina, played by Janis Wilson, who can be a real scene stealer.
I have a few random points I'd like to bring up here, so forgive the disjointedness here. First is that the ending caught me by surprise. Not to give anything away, it was much more realistic and sad than I had expected. You won't find all that Hollywood feel-good stuff here and don't expect wedding bells. But it is still a triumph - an assertion of Charlotte coming into her own and being happy with her life. Also pleasantly surprising was seeing Mary Wickes make an appearance as Mrs. Vale's nurse. Can't place her? She's been in everything from Higher and Higher to White Christmas to the more recent Sister Act. She adds a great touch of comedy to the picture and I always love seeing her. Finally, one bit of Hollywood trivia - Now, Voyager ran late in filming, and Paul Henreid literally finished his shooting on the film one night and bright and early the next day was on the set for that other 1942 gem, Casablanca.
Now, Voyager is a film about finding yourself and accepting happiness, even if it does not come in the dream you were expecting. It is deep, poignant and timeless in its portrayals of family duties and personal responsibilities. The title refers to a line from Whitman, which Dr. Jaquith gives to Charlotte as she embarks for South America. It goes: "The untold want by life and land ne'er granted, /
Now, voyager sail thou forth to seek and find." What a fitting line for Charlotte's journey towards her own self-discovery.
Review
I really enjoyed this movie, even though I wasn't so sure I would at first. The rich characters and fine acting create a story worth seeing that transcends 1942. I could go on about Now, Voyager, but the last line of the film really captures the essence of the whole film. Charlotte looks out the window and says, "Oh Jerry, don't let's ask for the moon; we have the stars."
