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Rating: 4.25 out of 5
I recently visited the library to find movies for my Academy Award viewing challenge. It is getting harder to find some of these movies. One of the movies that I picked up was the 1954 film The Country Girl. I looked at the cover and saw that it starred Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, and William Holden. I was particularly excited to watch because of Crosby. Growing up, I spent a lot of time at my grandparents’ place. They had all Road to… films. I have seen Road to Morocco so many times that I think I can recite that movie. All the films I have ever seen with Crosby were musicals where he smiled and seemed to have a good time. I was also excited about watching this film because of Grace Kelly. This was the second film I have ever seen her perform in and she is one of the best to ever make film. AFI has her as the #13 all-time best actress ever.
Directed by George Seaton and adapted from the play of the same name by Clifford Odets, the film gets deep into personal life and alcoholism. The film begins with auditions being held for a new play called The Land Around Us. Director Bernie Dodd (Holden) watches several performances when he asks Frank Elgin (Crosby) to perform several numbers. Frank is a fading star and, on Bernie’s recommendation, is cast in the leading role. Philip Cook, the show’s producer, doesn’t like the idea at all and wants someone else, but Bernie vouches for Frank.
Frank lives with his wife Georgie (Kelly) in a modest apartment, and they are cordial to each other, but you can tell that there is an ice wall between them. On the outside, Frank looks like an actor who is down on his luck and waiting for his chance, but at home, Frank is completely different. Frank is a raging alcoholic who can’t function without the support of his wife. Frank is really bad. Dude buys a cough suppressant that has 22% alcohol. What type of cough suppressant has 22% alcohol? That is insane and dude drinks from it like it is a Sprite bottle.
Frank makes everyone, especially Bernie, believe that Georgie is the reason for his declining career. Bernie is an absolute dick towards Georgie and blames her for all that is happening to Frank during rehearsals, along with Frank’s demands for a dresser and a run-of-the-show contract. Bernie sees Georgie as the problem and a means to get rid of her. Every chance he gets, he berates her and tells her she is no good.
What we see is that Frank is haunted by the past, and the real reason is that his career has almost flatlined. One day, Frank was at work singing his song to Georgie and their five-year-old son Johnny. It was a happy time. Frank convinces Georgie to let Johnny chill with him as she runs errands. While Frank is taking a photo, Johnny is hit by a car and dies. Frank is devastated and starts hitting the bottle.
One day, after a bad review, Frank goes to the bar. He is having a good time and even singing along with the lounge singer. Frank loses it and throws his drink at the bar window. Frank is arrested, and at the police station, Bernie once again accuses Georgie of being the problem for all the problems. Bernie accuses Georgie of being a drunk and suicidal. She looks him dead in his eyes and says Frank has the suicidal part covered. This causes Bernie to confront Frank when he learns the truth and tries to walk back all his statements against Georgie. Why does Bernie act like this? Dude has feelings towards Georgie and even kisses her. Dude is trifling and a snake.
The story ends on the opening night. Frank is a hit, and he demands respect from Cook for doubting him. Even though Frank is on cloud nine, Georgie is reluctant. She states that if Frank could be on his own, she would dip out. At the party, Bernie thinks Frank can be on his own, and Georgie will be free of him. After the three of them talk about Frank’s suspicions, Frank throws up the deuces and leaves. Georgie says goodbye to Bernie and runs after Frank. A true ride-or-die woman.
I wasn’t expecting a film like this. I was expecting a lot of singing and dancing in this film and was surprised by the story and the characters the actors played. I was more surprised with Crosby’s character than anything else. The story is heavy, with the subject of grief and alcoholism being the topic. Frank can’t go a day without his alcohol and lashes out at Georgie. I like how the story shows that Frank seems cool but, behind the scenes, is a drunk. What I also like is that we find out the reason for Frank’s alcoholism halfway through the film. The loss of his son destroys his life and marriage.
The movie moves with the dynamics of Frank and Georgie. You see a broken marriage, and it is eye-opening. When we first meet Georgie, she seems cold, but she also looks like a person who has their shit together. I thought it was a case of opposites attract. Frank is fun, loud, and an artist, while Georgie is traditional, and seems like the planner and head of the family. As the movie progresses, we see how the loss of their child has caused a gorge between them. Yet, Georgie rolls with her husband. She keeps her vows as she knows he would probably die without her.
I want to give it up to Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly. Crosby was great as Frank Elgin. I am so used to watching Crosby sing and dance that seeing him as a down-and-out drunk was a surprise. He didn’t cuss or was vile, but you saw the pain and regret on his face when he heard a certain song or was lost in his own mind.
I have to give it up to Grace Kelly. Bravo on this role and performance. As much shit that your character had to deal with, she showed that she was loyal and kept a strong face. Even when Bernie attacked her or had some demand from Frank, she sat patiently while knitting and not complaining. In today’s world, she would’ve dipped out. Kelly was amazing in this role, and I am happy that I got to see it.
I highly recommend watching this film. It is a black-and-white film, but you will be pleasantly surprised by the story and performances. Crosby and Kelly are outstanding in their respective roles, with Kelly winning the Oscar. The story shows what grief can do to an individual and a marriage. Give this film a chance and leave the alcohol alone.
