Today’s quick review: The Bishop’s Wife. Bishop Henry Brougham (David Niven) has his hands full gathering donations for his new cathedral. Forced to spend his time courting wealthy donors, Henry has been neglecting his old parishioners and his wife Julia (Loretta Young). His prayers for help are answered by the arrival of Dudley (Cary Grant), a kindly angel who sets about taking care of Henry’s family for him, much to the bishop’s chagrin.
The Bishop’s Wife is a classic drama about an angel sent to save an overworked bishop’s struggling marriage. The Bishop’s Wife takes a calm look at pride, the human condition, and what really matters in life. Through simple kindness and a couple of minor miracles, Dudley restores joy to the lives of Julia, Henry, and those around them. The Bishop’s Wife is a touching movie whose excellent acting and powerful themes make it an enduring classic.
The Bishop’s Wife is a rarity: an uplifting film that doesn’t rely on heavy drama to get its point across. The stakes are modest. No lives are on the line, only the happiness of a husband and wife who love one another. Yet The Bishop’s Wife treats this humble matter with the respect it deserves. The film is never petty or mocking. It sets out to show the beauty in its characters’ lives, and it does so with grace, patience, and gentle affability.
What conflict there is takes a subtler form. Henry is torn between the needs of his family and his calling to build a magnificent cathedral. Julia wants to support her husband in his work but longs for the days when they spent time together. Dudley intervenes by giving Julia the companionship she needs and Henry the advice he isn’t ready to hear. These simple tensions are all The Bishop’s Wife needs to tell a rich and human story.
The Bishop’s Wife is an unusually uplifting drama that earns its place as a holiday classic. Not everyone will appreciate what it has to offer; its slow pacing, tame humor, and unshakable optimism are a far cry from what the typical Christmas comedy or life-affirming drama brings to the table. But those who are used to the subdued storytelling of the classics will find The Bishop’s Wife to be a hidden gem, a well-crafted film without a trace of cynicism.
For a classic romantic comedy that also puts Cary Grant to good use, try The Philadelphia Story. For a classic comedy with some of the same spirit about it, try Harvey. For a family musical with a miraculous lead, try Mary Poppins.
7.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for a beautiful story and excellent performances.