Summary
In a poignant juxtaposition of pastoral sincerity and metropolitan duplicity, 'The Country Cousin' unspools the odyssey of Nancy Price, a resolute Ohioan farm manager whose existence is defined by the rhythmic cycles of the earth. The narrative catalyst arrives via Eleanor Howitt, Nancy’s cousin, who, upon inheriting a substantial legacy, is lured into the predatory orbit of her estranged father and his avaricious second wife, Maude, in the labyrinthine social circles of New York City. Nancy, sensing the parasitic nature of this urban elite, journeys to the metropolis only to be met with icy derision. She observes with growing alarm as Eleanor is groomed into a state of conspicuous consumption, her fortune hemorrhaging into the coffers of jewelers and couturiers to satisfy the whims of her sycophantic kin. The friction between Nancy and the effete George Tewksbury Reynolds, III, initially manifests as a clash of civilizations, yet his haughty disdain eventually dissolves into a reluctant fascination. The drama reaches its zenith during a bacchanalian revelry where Eleanor, manipulated into a state of inebriation by the uncouth Archie Gore, faces total social ruin. In a selfless stratagem of moral fortitude, Nancy assumes the burden of the scandal, jeopardizing her own standing to shield her cousin. This act of grace precipitates Eleanor’s disillusionment with the city, leading her back to the sanctuary of Ohio and the steadfast Sammy Wilson. Ultimately, the film concludes with a subversion of the 'city slicker' trope as Reynolds abandons his hollow prestige to pursue an agrarian apprenticeship in Ohio, seeking redemption and the hand of the woman who redefined his worldview.
Synopsis
Nancy Price, who manages her own farm in Ohio, follows her cousin Eleanor Howitt to New York to check on her after the latter inherits a fortune and is persuaded by her father to live with him and his second wife Maude. Nancy is treated inhospitably by Maude and her social set when she discovers that they are encouraging Eleanor to spend money on jewelry and fancy clothes for all of them. One member of the group, George Tewksbury Reynolds, III, after trading insults with Nancy, becomes attracted to her, but she rejects him. After uncouth Archie Gore gets Eleanor intoxicated during a party and Nancy covers up for her, sacrificing her own reputation to protect Eleanor's, Eleanor is convinced to return home, and she resumes a romance with her reliable hometown beau, Sammy Wilson. Reynolds goes to Ohio to learn to be a farmer and is rewarded by Nancy's love.
Review Excerpt
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The year 1919 marked a pivotal juncture in American cinema, a period where the medium began to transcend its nickelodeon origins to embrace the complexities of social commentary. At the heart of this evolution lies The Country Cousin, a film that serves as both a cultural artifact and a blistering critique of the burgeoning American class divide. Directed by Alan Crosland and adapted from the stage play by the formidable Booth Tarkington and Julian Street, this production by Selznick Pictures ..."
