I'll Cry Tomorrow (1955)

I like the old stuff.

great old movie. they just don't make them anymore. this is good.
acting is great, etc. August 4, 2008

True Boozehound

I really do believe this is a true and harrowing account of an alcoholic woman, Lillian Roth. They put everything in the movie they could in the 50s. I read her book I'll Cry Tomorrow. In the book she went through even worse than what is shown in the movie. Alcoholism ruined her career as a singer and actress in the 30s and 40s. She never completely recovered what could have been a brillant career but at least she conquered alcoholism and was able to live a reasonably happy life. Susan Hayward is brillant, a no-nonsense, nitty-gritty actress who brings the heroine of the story to painful, real life. This is a disease which could easily happen to a lot of people who never think it could. It shows very clearly the progression from the first drink to irresponsible drinking to that first miserable drink she didn't want but had to have and the horror that followed. This disease can put a person in a very vulnerable position where they can be easily abused by others who pretend to help. This is a must-see for people who even think they might have a problem! June 19, 2008

Be Fair--Susan lived THEN, Not Now

It never ceases to amaze me when some reviewers say Susan's movies haven't "aged well," or "the direction is slow" or--worst of all--she "overacted."

Times were different then. "Cool" meant a temperature below 65, not an attitude. People had the time and attention span to take in all the details of a scene and allow a story to develop, without needing today's jerky quick-cuts to keep their ever-wandering eye on the screen. They weren't glancing constantly at their non-existent cell phones to see if yet one more call or text message had come in to confirm to them that someone still knew they were alive. They liked seeing emotions fully expressed. Over-acting didn't mean being "very emotional," it meant being "excessively emotional to the situation portrayed."

Well, guess what? If I were going through the hell of alcoholism or facing the gas chamber or any of the other agonizing situations Susan portrayed, I'd be spilling my guts out too (if I wasn't so afraid of appearing "uncool"). She showed exactly how most people WOULD feel in these situations. And audiences were mesmerized by it.

I'm not asking anyone today to say they love these movies if they don't. Just don't judge them by the behaviors and pace of today's world, which Susan and her associates had absolutely no awareness of.

Finally, in terms of her being a "belter," read her biography sometime and see just how her belting, in every area of her life, got her to a position most people would have abandoned as impossible to achieve. Susan was a champion in every way and legendary proof that no one can stop you from achieving your goals unless you give up. And Susan never, ever did. May 13, 2008

Good, but Not Great

This is a movie that is marred by slow-paced direction at times, bogging the movie down.

The performances are o.k. but Susan Hayward, who I love dearly mind you, is a bit over the top in this. She does her own singing in this and is not dubbed (as she was in With a Song in My Heart). This is another hindrance, however. Hayward's deep, throaty vocals fall flat at times. Its her performance that counts however and she turns in a fine one (although I prefer her Angelica Evans in Smash-Up).

The movie gets a little frustrating at times because one finds it hard to feel much sympathy for Roth as she is her own worst enemy. But such is the case with most alcoholics.

The supporting cast is fine as well.

THis makes for a good movie but I feel that the potential for it to have been great went unfulfilled.

April 29, 2008

I'm smiling today

The movie was excellent. The product was sent to me in great condition and timely. I truly loved the movie and would order from this company without hesitation. February 8, 2008

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