Saturday, March 3, 2012

1934 - THE BARRETTS OF WIMPOLE STREET, two poets fall in love


Be warned this drama is a love story between two poets. 


Incredibly the story of the romance between Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett in this film seems mostly true.  Barrett was an invalid who began a correspondence with Robert Browning.  When they finally meet it was apparently love at first sight.  Barrett's father Edward Barrett Moulton Barrett forbid any of his 12 children to marry.  Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning secretly married and lived in Italy.


The Barretts of Wimpole Street is a very stodgy film from MGM.  It was based on a popular play so there is not a whole lot of camera movement in the film.  Everything is shot in Elizabeth Barrett's sitting room with her laying on a sofa for most of the running time not exactly exciting stuff.


What the film has going for it a very high level of acting from Norma Shearer, Frederic March and particularly Charles Laughton. 

Laughton is particular is fascinating to watch he makes it pretty clear that he has more than a fatherly interest in his daughter's love life, very creepy stuff.

110 minutes.

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