Heaven Can Wait (1943)

"Lubitsch in Technicolor", thought I, as the credits began. Not only is this his first color film, but also a first in which Lubitsch shows his sentimental side. The first half features his classic touch in sophisticated comedy (timing & dialogue), and sexual undercurrents (detectable by the discerning audience). The second half blossoms into a seasoned &, at times, nostalgic outlook at mortality.

I need a second viewing to fully appreciate this film because the "old man looking back" sentimentality of the second half really caught me by surprise & stands out as an unexpected narrative turn. In short, I don't know what to think of it. One thing's for sure: the film's portrait of a married couple, in it's essense, is undeniably realistic for a formalistic studio picture (Fox) from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

The theme in "Heaven Can Wait" is marriage. I feel that if my own marriage were to reflect some of the elements in the relationship between Martha (Gene Tierney) and Henry (Don Ameche), I'd be set for life. Truly laugh-out-loud funny & endearing too.

The DVD video release by The Criterion Collection is a gem. Gene Tierney is lovely in either color or monochrome (as audiences would witness that following year in Preminger's noir picture "Laura"). Don Ameche (ah-mee-chee) is a stand-out leading man & Chuck Coburn is perfect in his angelic matchmaker & elderly do-gooder (ala "The More The Merrier") persona. The most outstanding item on the DVD is the commentary about & by Samson Rafaelson, Lubitsch's close collaborator for almost a dozen films. Samson has some insightful recollections & inspiring advise for the budding screenwriter or filmmaker. Samson's screenwriting credit is an awesome list, plus his wrote the perfect romantic comedy "The Shop Around The Corner" (1940). "Note to self: procure this film immediately!" http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0035979/