This Lady Is A Tramp (Of Human Bondage (DVD))

Member Name: venice105

Product:	Of Human Bondage (DVD)
Date:	08/01/07 (154 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Early Bette Davis classic you may have missed

Disadvantages: Film quality sometimes scratchy

Of Human Bondage is a film made in 1934 starring Leslie Howard and Bette Davis. It is based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham. Howard stars as Philip Carey, a man born with a club foot and a sensitive, artistic nature. He is an aspiring artist who decides to go to medical school when told by a mentor he is a mediocre artist. He first meets Mildred (Davis) in a café where she waitresses and is instantly smitten.

In the early scenes of the film the camera captures Miss Davis's startling youthful beauty with extreme closeups on her unique features, attempting to mesmerise the viewer as Philip is mesmerised by her. Her porcelain features and white blonde hair lend her an angelic cast rarely seen in Davis. Yet it quickly becomes clear that this vision of her is one only seen by Philip.

Her sharp, demanding personality is evident on their first date. She is blatantly coy and manipulative with him, using his obvious attraction to her benefit right from the start. She gives new meaning to the phrase playing hard to get. Her token response to his advances, to great amusement and effect, is "I don't mind." When Philip asks her to see him again, or if she has any feelings for him, this is her fallback line. She drawls it lazily, teasing and tormenting the fellow. She is clearly bored by his sweetness, and repelled by his disability, but willing to overlook it if there is anything for her to gain from the situation.

It is clear this is never going to be a happy affair, Philip chases after Mildred like a lost puppy in the early part of the film, whilst she cavorts with rich older men right in front of him. It seems nothing she can do will deter him, so blind and hopeless is his adoration. At times it feels cruel watching him, he is so clearly going down the wrong track.

If it all sounds terribly sad, well it is only the beginning of what develops into a destructive bond. This film is quite naturalistic in its acting style and cinematography. Yes, there are a few wobbly dream sequences, and the age-old, pages of a calendar flipping to indicate time's passage, but generally it dates incredibly well compared to other films of the 1930's. Howard and Davis have a unique and very watchable chemistry. She is all fire and vitriol, while he plays his quintessential role of a refined dreamer, which makes them an unlikely but fascinating pairing.

Leslie Howard is possibly one of the most underrated actors of his generation. Unfortunately many only associate him with the wishy-washy character of Ashley Wilkes in Gone With the Wind, a part which he indeed played to perfection, as the character was never meant to be the hero. He does specialise in playing dreamers, but when given the room to show a range of emotions, as he is in this film, he excels. He is a very natural actor, long before the in your face antics of the method actors laid claim to this style.

Then there is Bette Davis, of course one of the most well known and celebrated actresses of her time. While I enjoy many of her performances, I have at times found her hamminess grating and distracting. In contrast, her earlier films, like this one, showcase the natural gift she posessed for playing "no good" characters with a relish and bravery that most actresses of her day shied away from.

It makes the film feel very modern; her character Mildred is never shown to repent or regret her wicked ways in an eleventh hour attempt at salvation the way some of her later films would. The film was edited of what was considered offensive material and boycotted on its original release for its unwavering treatment of prostitution, adultery, and unmarried mothers, among other things (even back then this was enough to sell out the theatres!). There are many instances in the film where it is striking just how unusual it was for its time, whether it be Mildred's complete disregard for her offspring, or her promiscuity and blatant attempts to use sex to control Philip.

The element of stagey melodrama is to me subdued in this film compared with most others of the era. I might laugh once or twice at the over-earnestness, the "Jolly old chap" -ness of Philip's friends, but that is bound to happen while watching a film that is 70 years old. There is one scene where the doctors are scrubbing in at the hospital while enjoying a nice cigarette, moments like that do date it slightly! And Ms. Davis is of course always good for a laugh. Her savouring of this part is gleeful and dominant, and yet she does not overshadow the film.

There is no subtletly or airs to Mildred, and while her cockney accent is more of a mockney, she is more than just a stereotype of a "common" woman. Philip is of a different class than she is, and yet what little money he does have he always freely gives to her whenever she is in need or want. The issue of class is never addressed or blamed for why she is the way she is. She has plenty of opportunities to get out of the gutter but seems irresistibly drawn to men who only treat her wrong. Philip is dragged down with her but fate seems to bring him more luck. She and Philip's shared folly is their inability to see past their desires.

The fantasy sequences that Philip has of Mildred are ironic in that she acts nothing like she would in real life, showering him with affection, etc. The fact that his weakness for her is so pointless is always evident. Philip is obviously a bit of a mug for continuing to take Mildred back each time she uses and abandons him, yet he gradually becomes aware of his own foible and grows less enslaved to her as the film progresses. At times it seems his capacity for forgiveness is endless, and indeed he never truly turns his back on her despite her maliciousness.

The film manages to maintain a kind of sweetness and romance despite the destructive relationship at its center. The fact that Philip's affection for Mildred is a wasted effort and only causing him trouble is treated with just enough lightness to keep it from being depressing. It is, in fact, quite humorous at times. Philip's capacity for unconditional love (or obsession!) is eventually rewarded when he slowly grows to appreciate a less vampish lady.

Mildred, despite all her bad behavior, is eventually more a pitiful figure than anything else. Davis manages to convey all of her character's flailing emotions with great depth and more restraint than is usual for her. She does have one great big moment of fury, but she also portrays complete desperation and deflation with equal commitment.

Of Human Bondage is probably my favourite Bette Davis film, at 84 minutes it's a snip to watch and always puts a smile on my face due to the fine performances and original filmmaking. Unlike many modern films, there is a depth that rewards repeated viewings with something new each time.

The film quality unfortunately has suffered with age, there are quite a few scenes with grainy and/or crackling reels, on my dvd at least. Some of the scenes look a bit bleached out as well, a shame as it was filmed very simply and beautifully. Ah well, let's call it ambience and pop some popcorn, shall we?


There are no extras on this dvd, and it retails for around £5 at most retail outlets.

******************Memorable quotes*******************************

"I promised you something charming, and she's turned out to be ill natured and contemptible"

"How pale you are, how strange, how cold."

"Funny looking little thing, isn't it?" (Mildred on her newborn baby)

******************Trivia************************* *********************

-The author, W.Somerset Maugham was a qualified doctor and a secret agent during WWI.

-Leslie Howard was an army soldier in WWI, when he was diagnosed with shellshock and advised to take up acting. After a successful acting career, he returned to the army in WWII. He died when his plane was shot down by Germans. There are many (unproven but put forth by his son) conspiracy theories that he was also a double agent and targeted by the Nazis.

-Humphrey Bogart got his break in films when Howard, who had starred with him in the play, insisted he be cast in The Petrified Forest with him (also starring Bette Davis).

- There are two other film versions of this, from 1946 and 1964, I have never seen them but can't imagine they top this one.

Summary: Vintage Hollywood gem