Rating of
3.5/4
Simply amazing classic!!!
mdtinney - wrote on 05/23/10
The Philadelphia Story is a "screwball comedy" about a headstrong Philadelphian socialite (Hepburn) whose seemingly perfect world is suddenly disturbed by her charming ex-husband (Grant) and a tabloids reporter (Stewart) just days before her upcoming wedding. The hilarious premise is set up quickly and skillfully by Cukor, and I was immediately thrust into nearly 2 hours of nonstop entertainment. The script is clearly one of the best ever written in Hollywood. There are so many wonderful exchanges of dialogue between the characters that it's hard to catch everything with just one viewing. Every actor in the movie gives a superb performance. Hepburn as Tracy Lord gives her character great strength and individuality, remaining deeply flawed and fragile. While Jimmy Stewart won an Oscar for his performance as the reluctant and cynical tabloids reporter who is really an intelligent and talented writer. The famous "drunk" scene is hilarious, and really showcases Stewart's wonderful comedy skills. Virginia Weidler as the kid sister also steals a number of scenes throughout the movie with her wonderful acting. There is nothing especially deep or groundbreaking about the movie, it is simply supreme entertainment, carried by great dialogue and great acting by the era's biggest stars. Classic Hollywood, they simply don't make movies like these anymore.
