Movie Monday: Come Live with Me (1941)
In preparation of the Valentine’s Day holiday, today’s Movie Monday is a review of one highly underrated romantic comedy. This film stars the iconic James Stewart alongside a new Old Hollywood actress that I have never reviewed on here before — Hedy Lamarr. If you Google the name Hedy Lamarr a lot will come up and it might feel overwhelming at first, but Lamarr was a multilayered woman who had a very exciting life. My advice would be to read up on her before you watch Come Live with Me, it will mean more to you.
Every James Stewart film is amazing. That is definitely an oversimplification of a career full of talent, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Come Live with Me fall in line with all James Stewart films in the way that it contains that special brand of magic that makes you believe living an ordinary life can be truly extraordinary.
Stewart never struggled in his career with pulling off the perfect leading man act either. He was the counterpart to so many glamorous ladies in Old Hollywood, but I think the James Stewart and Hedy Lamarr pairing may be my favorite. If you looked up Lamarr before reading this review you will know the impressive creativity and problem solving skills she possessed, and how those skills have impacted our modern society even to this very day.
What I love so much about Hedy Lamarr life story is the fact that behind a beautiful woman sat such intelligence. Of course, her beauty is what got the best of her at the end of her life when she would not leave her house because of how she looked. The fact that a holiday actress would be so brilliant is what truly blows me away because I have been trained to think that you can only be one thing at a time. But in Lamarr’s day, World War II was raging and there was a great need for smart people. Lamarr filled that need.
Of all the Hedy Lamarr films I have watched, Come Live with Me is the one that shows her depth and range as an actress the best. It is with the slightest movement of the eyes and the flicker of emotion that Lamarr can portray that makes her role in this film so much more meaningful. This talent was often lost in Lamarr’s beauty, but it should not be forgotten.
Come Live with Me is one of the most highly underrated romantic comedies ever made. There is no better time of the year to search for more romantic films, and Come Live with Me will fill your heart with so much emotion you won’t know what to do next.
This movie takes a much different approach to romance than other more well known films do. Come Live with Me mixes the love at first sight moment with a more subtle getting used to one another dynamic. Normally, these two approaches are not used because of how different they are and how they do not exactly mix together. However, Come Live with Me is able to do the unimaginable and make you feel like this awkward run and walk pace of romance is normal.
If you are looking for a new romantic comedy to fall in love with Valentine’s Day, be sure to watch the classic film Come Live with Me. It will leave you feeling a lot more dreamy than when you sat down.
Much Love,
Sarah
