Movie spotlight
They Knew What They Wanted
While courting a young woman by mail, a rich farmer sends a photograph of his foreman instead of his own, which leads to complications when she accepts his marriage proposal.
Insights
Plot Summary
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, this drama centers on Amy, a winery owner in California who has been corresponding with a man named Tony. She believes him to be handsome and virile, but when he arrives, she discovers he is actually his much less attractive friend, Joe. Torn between her affection for Joe, who has been truthful with her, and her initial infatuation with the idea of Tony, Amy must make a difficult decision.
Critical Reception
The film was met with mixed reviews, with some critics praising its dramatic performances and adaptation of the source material, while others found its plot somewhat dated. Audiences generally responded positively to the central love triangle and the performances of its lead actors.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for the compelling performances, particularly from Charles Laughton and Carole Lombard.
The film effectively translates the dramatic tension of its stage origins.
Some found the narrative elements to be a bit predictable by modern standards.
Google audience: Audience reception data for this film is not readily available.
Fun Fact
This film is an adaptation of a 1924 Broadway play by Sidney Howard, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources