It is surprising how inane this comedy is when one considers quality of the leading actors. In a real sense, this movie is emblematic of those who thought life would return to "normal" upon the completion of World War Two. In fact, at one point in the film, Rusty Thomas (John Wayne) says to Kit Madden (Claudette Colbert): "Why don't you just stop thinking?" Rusty, like so many servicemen in 1945, returned to a country which had changed enormously, including, as in this film, the role of women in society. Kit's proper name is Christopher! And her character is that of a professional woman. John Wayne's role is that of the boy-pilot. He is "big and strong," as the Mexican lad (Fernando Alvarado) notes. As a returning pilot, Rusty knows how to fly, but he still seems like a recent high school graduate. War has not prepared him, or many real veterans, for the new America--and neither was Hollywood prepared, it seems. The movie overflows with sexism and non-essential trivia in the "across the country in a car" format. Yet, Colbert manages to squeeze all she can out of her character, Wayne seems to do not as much. In a curiosity, this is one of the few major films where John Wayne's presence on the screen does not dominate, and it is actually overpowered by that of Colbert. It is strange to see the character of Rusty fade into a weakness given Wayne's exceptional talents. In the final analysis, chalk one up for Claudette Colbert. "Without Reservations" is recommended without reservation.
Review of Without Reservations
