Second in our double-bill of Jennifer Jones, she's reteamed here with Joseph Cotten (A Duel in the Sun) in a curious, moody, atmospheric tale, from a novel by Robert Nathan.
The moment where lightning flashes and it's green is a fabulous first time experience. Those boiling skies are amazing. (The film then shifts into tints of green and red and ends on a full colour portrait.) I also loved the way she always appeared coming out of the light (except at the end where in another audacious moment she seems to emerge from a wave).
It's fabulously directed and shot by Joseph August (and completed after his death by Lee Garmes, with whom it seemed like Selznick had a complex relationship), with Dimitri Tiomkin's score evoking Debussey.
At one point I almost expected the nice art dealer Ethel Barrymore to turn out to be Jennie. With Lillian Gish (the nun), Cecil Kellaway (dealer), David Wayne (an interesting performance) and cameos from Florence Bates, Felix Bressart and Weenie King Robert Dudley.
I thought it was fabulous and am now an official Jennifer Jones fan.
As another reviewer noticed, it sure has a lot in common with Vertigo. And, according to Time Out reviewer Tom Milne: 'Buñuel saw it and of course approved: 'It opened up a big window for me'. '
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