Year: 1942
Director: Irving Rapper
Country: US
Language: English
Considered a "Woman's Picture" in the 1940's Now, Voyager was one of the biggest melodrama hits of Hollywood during World War Two. Director Irving Rapper's picture in an unapologetic soap opera about how true love often gets distracted by social conventions and how female self empowerment is a force to be reckoned with. Admittedly, not my favourite Better Davis picture (All About Eve), but I still found a lot to enjoy in this flick.
In this, a frumpy spinster (Bette Davis) blossoms under therapy and becomes an elegant, independent woman.
Made during a time when mentally & physically ill people were being mass executed in Europe, Now Voyager manages to give a sweet, sentimental, nearly ahead of its time view on those who need mental wellness. Claude Rains (Casablanca), though a bit too dependent on Freud, treats a fractured Bette like a human being, who in turn treats Paul Henreid's (Casablanca) daughter with affection and humanity.
Though I initially was unhappy about the third-act and where Heinreid & Davis' relationship went, Now Voyager is also one of the rare Golden Hollywood movies that allow women to be strong, courageous, and single. Granted, the lengths Davis goes to achieve her bittersweet ending is a bit disturbing examined too closely. She tracks down his daughter & then forces herself to be in a mother/doctor role. It's a little bit weird. What does Henried's wife think about this secret? Eh, it's the 40's. Bad fictional marriages weren't allowed to fall apart, as also noted in David Lean's Brief Encounter
Now Voyager is an affectionate film that will have you begging Henreid to be with Davis. This picture is the stuff of love and dreams, yet also of what we want & cannot have. The final sequence is breathtaking and will have you using the remainder of your tissues. They don't make em' like these anymore!
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