If Winter Comes

Not A Classic But Still Very Enjoyable
The poster advertising for If Winter Comes is rather lurid: "Three Women In His Life. Was He A Love Thief?" It gives nothing away for me to respond, "No, He Wasn't".
If Winter Comes is a melodrama, and as such may seem laid on a bit thick to those accustomed to British understatement. The story is intense from the very start, and plot developments occur fast and furiously. While I don't know A.S.M. Hutchinson's novel, I have to believe it took more time in establishing character and atmosphere. The movie seems hurried, especially the first 45 minutes, in which peacetime England changes to wartime England and two years zip by with little segue.

What the film does have going for it is a superb cast led by Walter Pidgeon who plays a refined writer of textbooks and a real gentleman whose kindness extends to people from all social classes--a trait which brings him trouble. Deborah Kerr is quite fine (how could she be otherwise), although the scriptwriters could have...

Soaper still intrigues with Kerr & Lansbury portrayals
This is a traditional soaper, for sure, and probably would not be a box office hit today. But, Kerr makes the most of a rather sad role, and Lansbury is outstanding as the scorned wife. A very young Janet Leigh is interesting, but Walter Pidgeon is totally miscast as the leading man in this flick. He is far too old to play the part of Kerr's lover. He was 50+ when this film was made, and Kerr was still in her 20's. It doesn't come off as a believable romance of long-standing. But, i watched it twice and will probably view it again. Pidgeon was an excellent actor, but this was definitely not an appropriate venue for this venerable actor.

If Winter Comes
I watched it some time ago, and my memory of it is now dim. That tells me that I probably liked it, but it wasn't a 5-star movie for me. I didn't find it especially memorable.

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