![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
It surprised me, because it was different. That's not a very original comment, I know. I agree with what was said before though, this is an excellent movie. I liked the performances all around. Mary Astor's in particular, since I had never warmed to her before. It's a moving film, a definite classic. I'm very thankful to have had the opportunity to see it, and I'm also kind of surprised that it's not so well known. Of course, I'm no expert on 30's cinema.
I thought the wife was sympathetic to begin with, and I thought while I was watching it, 'of course she's going to turn out looking shallow.' That seems to be typical of films made after the code. Women not content with staying at home are portrayed as a bit shallow and selfish. Then I read a bit about the film, and apparently the director wanted her to be played sympathetically in the beginning, to show why Walter Huston's character loved her. That made me see the film differently. Her performance was also one of my favourites.