Humoresque contains what is said to be one of Joan Crawford's finest performances, if not the best. I cannot help but agree with them. She made a lot of fine films in the '40s Above Suspicion (1943), Mildred Pierce - which won Joan Crawford a very much deserved Oscar - (1945), Possessed (1947) and Humoresque. She's incredibly beautiful in this.
Humoresque is about a little boy, Paul Boray (played by usual tough-guy John Garfield), who grows up in the slums. For his birthday, his father takes him to a shop and he sets his eyes on the violin and he is consumed by it. As he grows older, he becomes a very accomplished violinist but has no connections, that is, until he meets unhappily married, unsatisfied socialite Helen Wright (Joan Crawford, magnificent at playing a woman without morals!) who is his ticket to the recognition he deserves. Helen says she is purely interested in his work and only his work, but of course sparks fly and they begin a rocky, dangerous affair.
I have to admit that Humoresque is certainly not for those who dislike classical music, as there are very long scenes of simply Paul Boray playing the violin, and they seem almost claustrophobic one long shot, hardly any movement from the camera (however, this is because they needed a certain angle for John Garfield to look like he is playing. Very cleverly done! I found these scenes drag on a bit too long, but I was fascinated looking at John Garfield's face for expressions. No doubt the music is beautiful, just perhaps a little too much of it and not enough John/Joan.
The acting is top notch with very believable performances with both. I believe this is one of Joan Crawford's best performances, but not her best (I still love Mildred Pierce). They are both wonderful at capturing the sadness, loneliness and restlessness of the characters. Then there is the wonderful Oscar Levant, who delivers the fabulous one liners with complete ease.
The climax, of course, is the ending which is wonderful. Dramatic music adds to the tone of the finale.
All in all, an incredibly dramatic, satisfying and beautiful tale of love, obsession and most of all: music. Some shots drag long I would have preferred more scenes between Joan and John, as they did sizzle up the scene. Essential '40s film contains two of the biggest Hollywood stars.
Humoresque is about a little boy, Paul Boray (played by usual tough-guy John Garfield), who grows up in the slums. For his birthday, his father takes him to a shop and he sets his eyes on the violin and he is consumed by it. As he grows older, he becomes a very accomplished violinist but has no connections, that is, until he meets unhappily married, unsatisfied socialite Helen Wright (Joan Crawford, magnificent at playing a woman without morals!) who is his ticket to the recognition he deserves. Helen says she is purely interested in his work and only his work, but of course sparks fly and they begin a rocky, dangerous affair.
I have to admit that Humoresque is certainly not for those who dislike classical music, as there are very long scenes of simply Paul Boray playing the violin, and they seem almost claustrophobic one long shot, hardly any movement from the camera (however, this is because they needed a certain angle for John Garfield to look like he is playing. Very cleverly done! I found these scenes drag on a bit too long, but I was fascinated looking at John Garfield's face for expressions. No doubt the music is beautiful, just perhaps a little too much of it and not enough John/Joan.
The acting is top notch with very believable performances with both. I believe this is one of Joan Crawford's best performances, but not her best (I still love Mildred Pierce). They are both wonderful at capturing the sadness, loneliness and restlessness of the characters. Then there is the wonderful Oscar Levant, who delivers the fabulous one liners with complete ease.
The climax, of course, is the ending which is wonderful. Dramatic music adds to the tone of the finale.
All in all, an incredibly dramatic, satisfying and beautiful tale of love, obsession and most of all: music. Some shots drag long I would have preferred more scenes between Joan and John, as they did sizzle up the scene. Essential '40s film contains two of the biggest Hollywood stars.