The Awful Truth (1937)

The re-marriage comedies from the 30's tend to be a thousand times more enjoyable than a run-of-the-mill romantic comedy made in 2013. The Awful Truth (dir. Leo McCarey) is an example: it's witty, it's sharp, gender roles are not black-and-white. The film starts with a couple who decides to get a divorce. So they meet new people, etc., etc., and they gradually find out that they still like each other, there is some confusion etc., etc., but things will of course be all right. I don't mean to say that this film is spectacular, but it is a rather nice depiction of how a couple learn something about themselves through learning about a mistake they are about to make. The director's approach to self-deception is delightfully earnest, and doesn't feel preachy (or I didn't think so). The excellent pacing, spontaneous feel of the acting and general good mood of the film made me forgive standard fare characters (cabaret artists, tycoons) and a rather predictable framing of the story. And well, what can one say: there's something about dogs and screwball comedies.