Scanialara You won't be disappointed!

Stellead Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Beanbioca As Good As It Gets

Zandra The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

museumofdave First of all, the pictorial quality of the print on this 1943 comedy is amazingly good; the diction of the actors speaking the King's English is also impeccable, and on that level alone this film is watchable--but much more for me; it's a wartime English film, obviously done on the cheap--but done very well and featuring top quality stage actors who delight in the clever quip and character-driven drollery.A wee bit of story: a demanding woman decides to take her prospective hubby to an island retreat to see if they can properly relate before they marry--two friends tag along. Now largely forgotten actor Clive Brook (a lead in Dietrich's Shanghai Express) directed and stars as an effete snob who has lessons to learn, and the impeccably hilarious, viper-tongued Beatrice Lille, who made far too few movies, is showcased at her raised-eyebrow best. This is an old-fashioned drawing room comedy, adult in nature, literate in approach, and short, sweet and delightful.

MartinHafer ON APPROVAL has very, very glowing reviews so far and I am not surprised. It's a smart and funny comedy of manners that had a freshness that pleasantly surprised me. However, at the same time, I understand that this is NOT a film for everyone, as its droll sense of humor is certainly not what the average person would enjoy. In other words, it is probably more for a niche market--people who can enjoy a funny film with great subtlety (such as an Oscar Wilde play). In other words, if the humor of Jim Carey and Rob Schneider make you laugh, then you probably aren't a good candidate to see ON APPROVAL.In the beginning of the film, a narrator talks about love during recent history. Eventually, this takes the movie back to the mid-late Victorian era. I loved this part, as occasionally the characters broke character and talked to the narrator. This took me by surprise and let me know this was not the typical comedy.The story then focuses on four middle-aged upper class people--two men of noble birth but with less than noble bank accounts and two ladies of better financial means. They are all single and the two men both seem to think marriage (finally) is a good idea to solve their financial woes--in particular, Richard's dire economic problems. If he were to marry the rich Helen, he could live a very, very comfortable life. There isn't a whole lot of love behind his proposal and it's probably in light of this that she has a shocking but intelligent solution--they will go off on a vacation together and see how it is to act like husband and wife for a few weeks. However, much to Richard's chagrin, this does NOT grant him conjugal rights--after all, this is the Victorian era and Helen brings along a friend to guarantee this.Now these are not the only two who go on this vacation. The very boorish and rude George insinuates himself with Richard to ostensibly help him, though it seems he's along much more as a freeloader as well as to woo Helen's American friend and chaperon, Maria. Most of George's contribution to the effort is to try to increase the likelihood Richard beds Helen...though the film never is so bold as to state this explicitly. However, for the most part, George is just in the way.When they arrive, the servants in this Scottish retreat soon leave--refusing to stay as it ends up that the four unmarried people will be living in the same mansion (gosh, what a shock). So, the four of them are expected to cook and wait on each other. In hindsight, this is a very good thing, as it either brings out the best or the worst in each of these four--leading to a few twists and surprised.The film has sparkling dialog and a nice wit. It's rare to see such a well-written film and managing to gently poke fun at Victorian morality works very well because of this writing. The acting, likewise is very good. However, there is one odd problem with casting. Maria is supposed to be an American, but Ms. Lillies sounds about as American as the rest of the cast--as she has a very unmistakable English accent. Perhaps since the film was made during WWII it was hard to get an American actress for the part, but Ms. Lillie, though a fine actress, didn't even attempt the correct accent...or perhaps that's how we all sound to the Brits! Still, if this is my only complaint, then it must have been a pretty good film.By the way, Clive Brook not only played George in the film, but he directed and wrote the movie as well! Wow. I am impressed.

franklinlj It says: "Women who are tired of their boyfriends come up with a new idea: exchange them." BUT - the exchange comes at the end, and is the films big surprise. Or was. I suggest replacing the current outline with something like this:"Nearly flawless period comedy, spicy but not vulgar. Two couples in the 1890's decide to see if they are suited for marriage by living together for a month on an island. Scandal ensues, though they are only living together, not 'living together'.Or are they?Ho!"(The significance of 'Ho!' will be clearer to the reader once the movie has been seen.)

timon88 This film of Frederick Lonsdale's play is one of my favorite movies of all time. Not because it breaks new artistic ground--it's simply as close to being perfectly cast and perfectly executed as one can imagine. It's Bea Lillie's most important work on film (and as far as I can tell, except for "Thoroughly Modern Millie", the only thing of hers available on home video....will someone PLEASE bring out "Doctor Rhythm"?), and it really does give us a sense of why she was so famous in her day. The amazing Clive Brook is her perfect foil, and Googie Withers is beautiful and utterly charming."On Approval" is full of small pleasures that, because of their perfection, are unforgettable. Who can forget Bea Lillie's perfect delivery of "You will find the dinghy by the jetty."? The bickering of Lillie and Brook ("Maria, I don't want to speak to you, but I must." "I don't want to speak to you and I won't!") .....Googie Withers refusing a proposal of marriage by asking the color of her eyes.....Bea Lillie doing vocal exercises at the piano....I could go on endlessly. It's exquisite fun.