Man of the World

As of summer 2019 there are a number of reviews of this film on IMDb, and a divide exists between those liking it a lot and those disapproving. I fall into the liking category, enjoying the acting so very much, including Wynne Gibson. I thought she did a marvelous job, allowing us to tune into her vulnerability and also allowing us to perceive how she calculated her responses to William Powell in conversation... her character knows she must tread carefully with him. Mr. Powell likewise deftly displays a suite of emotions. Unfortunately for our viewing pleasure Carole Lombard had a role that wasn't really all that demanding, but her presence was glamorously magnetic even so. The story is thoughtful and really compelling, while the dialog was skillfully crafted. The ending is among the more powerful I remember seeing in film. And thankfully, being from 1931, the film has no background music trying to help us react to the goings-on. This is a beautifully put-together film for 1931, only three years into the screenplay era (there are a number of fine films from 1930 and 1931, but more often memorable because of the action and settings, not because of thoughtful screenplay). The small cast of actors here approached their roles seriously and it was apparent they took time to evaluate and rehearse their lines. Very much appreciated is that the takes and editor's cuts are not intrusively obvious, allowing viewers to mentally "sink" into and stay inside the program. And lastly, although morality is existentially debated in this picture and courage as a trait is on display, gratefully the viewer is not necessarily being manipulated into a point of view... this would likely not happen in today's world of cinema where the film's point of view is paramount and inescapable. This "Man of the World" is a near-great one!