Joan Terry is an idealistic girl seeking her fortune as a singer on Broadway. After her money dries up, she finds lodging in a sharehouse full of would-be stars, all broke and failing to hit the big time. After hearing Joan sing and realising she could have a genuine shot, the girls all band together to give her a boost. Opposing this is her scheming fiancee, while aiding the venture is a friendly producer. Will Joan find success where so many have failed?...
Career Girl is your typical rags-to-riches story from the golden age of Hollywood. A bunch of working class girls tryna make it big, and never quite getting there. While it's pretty well-worn territory, the movie is entertaining, and it feels like a fresh way of tackling this topic. Here we are not just focusing on one girl alone, but an entire share house, full of girls who tried and failed to make the big time, but still try and have a go of it.
The film is realistic about their chances too. Yes, it's a movie, so obviously it all works out in the end, but only through everyone coming together and pooling their resources in order for Joan to really make it big.
Lending the movie credence is that it's a low-budget PRC picture, and not an impoverished Cinderella story with an A-list cast and budget of $150 million dollars. Not that that's a problem, but it can sometimes break immersion a little, and it is nice sometimes to see a movie that has its heart where its wallet is.
The story itself is fairly decent, with a good cast of characters, from the sweet heroine, to her snarky best friend, the naive girl, the bitchy one, etc. Love interest Steve is a good guy, and his interactions with Joan's (soon to be ex) fiancee are great. It's great seeing how instantly the bullyish James crumbles the moment Steve shows the slightest authority, and funny seeing how he strings the sap along, pretending to help James win Joan back.
The climax is ok, although feels a bit rushed. There's a particular development that feels good in theory, and does play an important part, but it all happens so quickly that it feels a little too late. I did like how it goes to redeeming James' character a bit though.
The dialogue in Career Girl is a hoot. Much of the funnier lines come from the absolute groaners that come out of boorish fiancee James' mouth.
"I think I've been very patient with you my dear. I permitted you to go to New York to seek a career just to humour you...Your real career is back here in Kansas City being Mrs. James Blake."
Steve: "Tell me more about this corporation"-James: "Oh it's a preposterous idea. Talent incorporated, to promote Joan's career or something."
And as if that wasn't bad enough, he also 'does not approve of the people with whom she associates', and stresses
how much Joan delaying the wedding will upset 'mother and sister'.
Beyond this, much of the funny lines come from Iris Adrian.
"'Yes James, yes James'. If you put that dialogue in water, it would swim."
"I could see the bright lights of Broadway all the way from home." "It's only a mirage, kid, there's a broken heart for every light on Broadway"
The acting is good. Frances Langford is a fine lead, while Iris Adrian provides plenty of laughs and personality to the pictures. The remainder of the cast work well together. The singing is likewise decent, with a few 40s pop songs sprinkled throughout.
The dancing is all fairly serviceable stuff for the period. Nothing spectacular, but not terrible. The final dance number at the theatre however has some...ahem, 'suggestive' costumes. You'll have to see it to believe it!
Career Girl is only worth checking out for fans of classical musicals, but is a decent enough time...
No comments:
Post a Comment