To Each His Own
To Each His Own

Movie spotlight

To Each His Own

1946
Movie
122 min
English

During World War I, small-town girl Josephine Norris has an illegitimate son by an itinerant pilot. After a scheme to adopt him ends up giving him to another family, she devotes her life to loving him from afar.

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes71%
Google Users85%
Director: Mitchell LeisenGenres: Drama, Romance, War

Plot Summary

In 1945, Jody Norris receives a letter from her son, Captain Sebastian Byrne, who is returning from the war. This prompts Jody to reflect on her life and the choices she made. She recounts her story from her humble beginnings in Iowa to her unconventional relationship with a returning WWI pilot and the subsequent sacrifices she made for her son's future.

Critical Reception

To Each His Own was a critical and commercial success, particularly lauded for Olivia de Havilland's performance, which earned her an Academy Award. The film's melodrama and emotional storytelling resonated with audiences and critics alike, solidifying its place as a classic wartime drama.

What Reviewers Say

  • Olivia de Havilland delivers a powerhouse performance that anchors the film.

  • A compelling and emotional melodrama that effectively captures the sacrifices of war.

  • The film's narrative structure and dramatic turns were widely praised.

Google audience: Audiences widely appreciate Olivia de Havilland's captivating performance and the film's powerful emotional narrative. Many viewers found the story of sacrifice and maternal love deeply moving and memorable.

Awards & Accolades

Academy Award for Best Actress (Olivia de Havilland)

Fun Fact

Olivia de Havilland won her first Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Jody Norris in this film, marking a significant personal and professional triumph.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review