Today’s quick review: The Philadelphia Story. Two years after her messy divorce with C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant), Philadelphia heiress Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn) is engaged to George Kittredge (John Howard), a self-made millionaire. Their wedding preparations are interrupted when Dexter drops by uninvited, accompanied by Mike Connor (James Stewart) and Liz Imbrie (Ruth Hussey), a pair of tabloid reporters sent to snoop on the wedding.
The Philadelphia Story is a classic comedy romance with an impressive cast and an outstanding script. Katharine Hepburn stars as Tracy Lord, a willful woman born to high society, whose wedding faces an unexpected challenge from her ex-husband. Cary Grant plays opposite her as Dexter Haven, the ex-husband in question, whose dry wit, helpful advice, and knack for being in the wrong place at the right time make him the perfect foil.
The Philadelphia Story’s greatest asset is its script. Sharp, rapid-fire dialogue is the movie’s bread and butter. The banter is witty, the characters are lively yet realistic, and the plot stands on its own even without the aid of its jokes. Perhaps even more impressive is the respect that The Philadelphia Story shows for its characters. Each one has virtues and faults, and none are pilloried unfairly or unilaterally.
The Philadelphia Story’s other great draw is its cast. Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and James Stewart head a brilliant cast with several standout performances and no real weaknesses. Grant and Hepburn are made for each other, each one handling a subtle, multi-faceted character with aplomb. Stewart rounds out the main trio as Mike Connor, a sarcastic journalist with hidden depth. The leads are at their finest, and their performances are hard to top.
Even so, the supporting cast nearly does it. Ruth Hussey makes a lasting impression as Liz Imbrie, a sharp-minded and long-suffering photographer. Her performance is subtle, but once noticed it becomes one of the most striking of the film. Virginia Weidler steals the spotlight as Tracy’s playful younger sister Dinah, the movie’s purest source of comedy. Even the minor part of Uncle Willie (Roland Young) gets his moments.
The Philadelphia Story does have its flaws. The ending ties up most of the plot threads neatly, but it’s missing the delicate touch shown by the rest of the film. The movie also gets more serious as it goes along, shedding its breeziness in favor of more overt humor. The Philadelphia Story’s nuanced style of comedy may not be to everyone’s tastes, as it requires a keen ear and close attention to pick up on most of the jokes.
Still, even casual fans of classic comedies will get their money’s worth from The Philadelphia Story. Its stellar cast and impeccable dialogue are enough to make it a true classic. Not everyone will appreciate its wry, dialogue-heavy flavor of humor, but those who do will find The Philadelphia Story to be a rare gem. Skip it if you are looking for a more heartfelt romance or a comedy with less substance.
8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it an 8.0 to 8.5 for superb dialogue and spot-on acting.