In reviewing this, I'm reminded of an episode from an 80's comedy, where one of the characters was showing off her new dress and asked her roommate what she thought of it and she said, "I like it", but then added: "just not on you." Well, it's kind of the same with this movie, which was good, but not for Cary Grant. It wasn't the type of role he should have played. He's the polished, sophisticated type, which comes across even when he's playing an average guy, and in those cases it's a good fit, but in this role it's a misfit. He can't pull off playing a rough around the edges character and make it believable, it came across as phony. I think the role would have been more suitable for Robert Young (guy next door), or Jimmy Stewart (average Joe), or maybe James Cagney, (tough and feisty), any one of them could have brought their own style to the role and made it work, but Cary's style wasn't right for the part, so it didn't work for him.
The story itself was good, especially for me, since the time period is one that I'm very fond of, Martha Scott and the other actors gave good performances, and I love when actual historic characters show up (like Jefferson), so those things were appreciated by me. I also liked the change of heart Matthew has regarding his son, Peyton and how Jane makes him realize the reasoning behind his unfair indifference and resentment. (No need of a psych degree for that intuitive lady!)
It's a good movie, just not a great one.
The story itself was good, especially for me, since the time period is one that I'm very fond of, Martha Scott and the other actors gave good performances, and I love when actual historic characters show up (like Jefferson), so those things were appreciated by me. I also liked the change of heart Matthew has regarding his son, Peyton and how Jane makes him realize the reasoning behind his unfair indifference and resentment. (No need of a psych degree for that intuitive lady!)
It's a good movie, just not a great one.