Jezebel (1938)
Director: William Wyler
Starring: Bette Davis, Henry Fonda, George Brent
Synopsis:
A spoiled belle stops at nothing to keep her beau devoted to her.
Impressions:
This was one of the big movies in Bette Davis' career, but I'm not that big of a fan. I'm sorry, but I have a hard time following selfish, spiteful, conniving little strumpet in the suffocating atmosphere of the Old South planter class. In Gone with the Wind, Scarlett O'Hara gets smacked down hard, more than once, which is fairly cathartic. Julie gets less of what's coming to her and her supposed reform at the end doesn't feel entirely well-earned. The Uncle Tomfoolery of the black characters is likely to offend modern viewers as well. I suppose if you really like stories in this setting or if you're a big fan of Bette Davis, you'll want to give this a try. Otherwise, you might rather pass on it.
50/50