Saturday, February 16, 2019

The Bigamist

The Bigamist is a 1953 film starring Joan Fontaine, Ida Lupino, Edmund Gwenn, Edmond O'Brien, and Jane Darwell. It's directed by Ida Lupino. This is the first time Lupino appeared in a film she directed. The title is a good description of the plot. It's more melodramatic than I prefer, but it's listed in the book 1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die and I'd like to eventually see all of them.

via Youtube:



Senses of Cinema has an article on Lupino and says this:
While a number of critics consider the film the most accomplished of Lupino’s early films, The Bigamist remains a problematic entry in Lupino’s directorial career for most viewers. The acting is superb, but visually the film fails to excite. Nevertheless, in its examination of social standards in the early 1950s, the film gives us an uncomfortably claustrophobic vision of the constraints forced upon both women and men during this period. Yet, it would be impossible not to notice the lack of visceral energy in The Bigamist.
Images Journal concludes,
This subtle critique of '50s families and the sterility of home life when business becomes more important than family communication makes The Bigamist just as relevant today as when it was made in 1953. And the sympathetic portrayal of all the characters involved reveals Lupino to be a kind filmmaker with a genuine desire to avoid judgmental behavior.
FilmsNoir.net calls it "A film for mature adults who understand the true meaning of ‘shades of grey’."

12 comments:

  1. I might have to make time for this one. And I'll have to see about finding the book of the 1,000 movies to see before you die. Great title!

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    1. Ida Lupino is an interesting figure. You can find the 1,000 movie list online -here, for example: https://1001films.fandom.com/wiki/The_List - but the book itself has more than just the list.

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  2. Great review-have not seen this one but sounds interesting
    Happy Saturday-where it is winter again in the Ozarks

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    1. It is interesting. I don't think I would've reacted the way this wife did. I'm more the stomp/yell/storm out kinda person ;)

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  3. I'm not sure if I want to see this one. My memories of the fifties are not so that I want to go back and revisit. Valerie

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    1. The 50s as a time of happy recollection we should look back on with nostalgic fondness is not something I've ever understood. You don't get that in this film. Such a restrictive, limiting era!

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  4. Well,well...nicely done Ida. Shades of grey--no black and white. I almost thought the women should continue to share him--LOL! Very interesting! :)

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    1. She was a thought-provoking director. I would certainly prefer to be wife #1, but I wouldn't be happy knowing his resources had to be spread over 2 families.

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  5. I haven't heard of this film. The title sounds a bit like the darker side of the 1950's though. Hope it was a good weekend. Hugs-Erika

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    1. Yes, this was a dark situation for all concerned.

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  6. I remember this film. I don't know where I saw it, but it was at someone's home. It certainly caused a great debate at the end of the film. Wonder which wife WOULD take him back!

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    1. The one with a dependent child and no legal personal claim in terms of legal marriage. She'd take him in a heartbeat. If I were the legal wife I'd kick him out, sue him for divorce, and take him for all he was worth. But that's just me ;)

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