This feels old-fashioned even by 1949 standards, harking back to a time when most films were about rich people and their problems. That said, it's still very effective.
In New York in 1849, shy woman Catherine Sloper (Olivia de Havilland) lives with her wealthy father Dr. Austin Sloper (Ralph Richardson). Her lack of social skills disappoints her father and means she doesn't live up to her late mother. When she meets suitor Morris Townsend (Montgomery Clift) she quickly falls in love with him by Austin suspects that Morris is really only interested in her money.
William Wyler gives a real ambiguity to this film. It's never entirely clear whether Morris is truly in love with Catherine or if he is after her money. The stage play by Augustus and Ruth Goetz (who also wrote the screenplay) is much clearer on the issue. It's thought because Clift had a reputation as a romantic leading man the studio didn't want to sour this which is typical stupid studio interference but on this occasion, it adds to the film.
Olivia de Havilland won Best Actress for this performance. Catherine gets more character development than the vast majority of film characters, beginning as very meek and shy, becoming a little more confident in the presence of Morris and a strong and commanding woman by the end of the film. This could feel quite jarring but de Havilland cleverly and subtly builds it up; it always feels like the same character and the character development feels very convincing.
I think this would be a decent if fairly average film but it's elevated by de Havilland being utterly superb.
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