Dodsworth
Dodsworth

Dodsworth

1936Movie101 minEnglish

A retired auto manufacturer and his wife take a long-planned European vacation only to find that they want very different things from life.

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Insights

IMDb7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes100%
Director: William WylerGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

Sam Dodsworth, a self-made millionaire, sells his automobile company and plans to travel Europe with his wife Fran, who desires to shed their "small-town" American image. As Fran becomes increasingly infatuated with European high society and begins to treat Sam condescendingly, Sam finds himself drawn to an American expatriate widow, Edith Cortright. The journey becomes a poignant exploration of marital disillusionment, personal growth, and the search for meaning in later life.

Critical Reception

Dodsworth was critically acclaimed upon its release, praised for its mature handling of complex marital and social themes, its intelligent screenplay, and the superb performances of its cast, particularly Walter Huston. It was considered a sophisticated and poignant drama that resonated with audiences and critics alike for its realistic portrayal of mid-life crisis and shifting relationships.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intelligent and mature exploration of marital decay and societal expectations.
  • Walter Huston's performance as the titular character was universally lauded as a career highlight.
  • The film's sophisticated screenplay and direction were noted for their subtlety and depth.

Google audience: While specific Google user ratings are unavailable, contemporary and retrospective audience reactions generally align with critical praise, appreciating its moving narrative and strong performances.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor (Walter Huston), Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Sound Recording at the 9th Academy Awards.

Fun Fact

The film was based on the Sinclair Lewis novel of the same name, and Lewis himself had a hand in writing some of the dialogue, contributing to the film's authentic American voice.

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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

The title of this doesn't help it much: it sounds like it ought to be about a butler in a grand old English stately home but Walter Huston ("Sam") is superb, as the millionaire motor car industrialist who sells his company and sets off with...