Main Cast: Loretta Young, David Niven, Eddie Albert, Charlie Ruggles, Virginia Field
Release Year: 1946
Country: US
Run Time: 88 minutes
Plot
If the Perfect Marriage in this romantic comedy were truly perfect, there wouldn't be any story, would there? Outwardly an ideal couple, Maggie and Dale Williams (Loretta Young, David Niven) have grown tired of one another after 10 years. Petty squabbles lead to major battles, exacerbated by the well-meaning interference of friends and relatives. Caught in the middle is Maggie and Dale's daughter Cookie (Nona Griffith), who loves both parents equally and doesn't want to choose between them-which may very well happen if things get any worse. Leonard Spigelgass' screenplay, based on a play by Samson Raphaelson, is a lot closer to real life than most films of the period. Funny though the disagreements between the Williamses may be, there is an underlying pain and harshness to their bickering, which even the reasonably happy ending cannot altogether dissipate. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
The Perfect Marriage is far from perfect, so it's a good thing that it boasts the presence of stars Loretta Young and David Niven -- because, basically, there's not much else in Marriage to applaud. Oh, there are some yummy Edith Head creations for Young, which the star's personal glow makes look even more appealing. And there's a supporting cast that is big on talent. But these supporting players are given so little to work with that not even such stalwarts as Eddie Albert, Charlie Ruggles and ZaSu Pitts can generate much interest -- let alone laughs, which is too much to ask for given the witless dialogue they are asked to deliver. Young and Niven don't get any more help from the material than the supporting players, but their charisma (and director Lewis Allen's smart decision to concentrate on his leads as much as possible) helps to give the film the occasional lift. Leonard Spigelgass's screenplay is the culprit here, a leaden affair that takes a potentially arresting subject and fumbles the ball at almost every turn. The comedy isn't funny, the drama just sits there and the psychological and social insights are shallow. Dedicated fans of the leads may want to watch it, but others will find little in it to recommend. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
