Year of Release: 1948Country of Origin: USA
Director: Anatole Litvak
Cast: Olivia de Havilland, Mark Stevens, Leo Genn
Plot outline: Virginia Cunningham finds herself in a state insane asylum and can't remember how she got there (IMDb).
Brilliantly written and directed, this movie put the audience in the patient's shoes, so that we can see the world through her eyes and understand how it feels to be in her situation. Superbly acted by Olivia de Havilland as mentally ill Virginia Cunningham, the script seamlessly guides the audience through her ordeal and gradual recovery. The only reason Ms. de Havilland didn't win Oscar for Best Actress that year is because she had won the award two years previously for To Each His Own. Betsy Blair almost steals the show portraying lost and beyond help Hester. While Leo Genn provides comfort playing sympathetic and encouraging Dr. Mark Kik. Toward the end, the scene where they are all at the dance and a woman sings "Going Home" is genuinely and extremely touching. This movie is brave and ground-breaking for its time. A landmark! A delicate subject which is sensitively treated and brilliantly presented.
My judgement: *** out of 4 stars
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