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The Awful Truth
1937
In one of the supreme screwball comedies, young husband and wife Jerry and Lucy (Cary Grant and Irene Dunne, respectively), suspicious that the other is having an affair, start divorce proceedings and see each other only when Jerry visits their dog, who is held in joint custody. As Lucy shows signs of falling for her oil-tycoon .. Read more
| Starring | Cary Grant, Irene Dunne, Ralph Bellamy, Alexander D'Arcy |
|---|---|
| Director | Leo McCarey |
| Genres | Comedy |
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The Awful Truth
In one of the supreme screwball comedies, young husband and wife Jerry and Lucy (Cary Grant and Irene Dunne, respectively), suspicious that the other is having an affair, start divorce proceedings and see each other only when Jerry visits their dog, who is held in joint custody. As Lucy shows signs of falling for her oil-tycoon neighbor, Jerry goes to outrageous lengths to break them up. And Jerry's own whirlwind courtship of a social darling hits snags as Lucy pretends to be his inebriated showgirl sister during Jerry's meeting with his girlfriend's parents. Stuck in an isolated cabin the eve their divorce becomes final, Lucy and Jerry discover the awful truth that they still love each other. The wonderful Leo McCarey directed THE AWFUL TRUTH, which was based on the 1922 play by Arthur Richman.
| Starring | Cary Grant, Irene Dunne, Ralph Bellamy, Alexander D'Arcy, Cecil Cunningham, Molly Lamont, Joyce Compton, Esther Dale, Mary Forbes |
|---|---|
| Director | Leo McCarey |
| Studio | SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 27 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Comedy |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 24 Mar 2003 Production year: 1937 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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A wonderful example of Cary Grant at his screwball comic best as one half of a sniping, divorcing couple, who trade insults like gunfire and seek to spoil each other's future plans. Irene Dunne is the superb foil for Grant's laconic asides, and the two leads are assisted by a great supporting cast, which includes Ralph Bellamy and Cecil Cunningham. Leo McCarey's assured and fluid direction was rightly rewarded with an Oscar. Many stars, including Tom Hanks and Hugh Grant, have laid claim to Grant's mantle, but this movie illustrates once again that they are light years away from the man at his best.
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Classic screwball comedy of the thirties, marked by a mixture of sophistication and farce and an irreverent approach to plot.
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Most helpful member's review
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Not the best film but Cary grant on top form
Though the plot is at best tenuous, this film gets five stars from me because of the wonderful, mostly ad-libbed, dialogue between Grant, his (ex) wife and her new boyfriend.
If you are already a Cary Grant fan, watch this to reinforce your opinion that Cary Grant's charm, wit and perfect timing can not be matched. If you are not a fan yet, start with a different Grant film, perhaps Charade or His Girl Friday, or my personal favorite (somewhat contraversially!) Arsenic and Old Lace. -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Awfully good
Leo McCarey is no longer a famous name but, in his day, he was a well-respected comedy director, who had worked with Laurel and Hardy in their heyday. His biggest hit was a schmaltzy Bing Crosby film called "The Bells of St Mary's" (one of the top 50 box office films of all time, believe it or not) in 1945.
Anyway, "The Awful Truth", a big hit in its day, is one of those "screwball" comedies of the late 30s which Hollywood did so well. Although not as side-splitting as "Bringing Up Baby" or "His Girl Friday", for instance, it is still a highly-sophisticated, very amusing and sexually advanced movie, with a great performance from Cary Grant and a wonderful supporting role from the dog (who reappears in Bringing Up Baby). Irene Dunne was perhaps not the best choice of comedienne to partner Grant, but Ralph Bellamy gives added weight as the hickster from Oklahoma who comes a cropper in Manhattan.
One to watch with the parents (if you're middle-aged like I am), who might even remember it when it first came out. -
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The Awful Truth
In one of the supreme screwball comedies, young husband and wife Jerry and Lucy (Cary Grant and Irene Dunne, respectively), suspicious that the other is having an affair, start divorce proceedings and see each other only when Jerry visits their dog, who is held in joint custody. As Lucy shows signs ...
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