Irene Dunne and Clive Brook being sad together in 'If I Were Free'

Is this worth your time?

If you like those old movies where people stand around in very nice suits and talk about their feelings with stiff upper lips, then yes. You should watch it today if you are in the mood for something a bit melancholy.

I think fans of Irene Dunne will really like this one. She has a way of looking at the camera that makes you feel like she is actually thinking about something important.

But if you want action or a fast plot, you will probably hate this. It moves like a slow river, and not much happens on the surface. 🎥

The movie starts out pretty dark. Gordon Lathrop, played by Clive Brook, is a veteran who is basically done with life.

He is sitting there, looking like he might just end it all. It is a bit heavy for a movie from 1933, but it feels real.

Then he meets Sarah. She sells antiques and looks like she knows a lot about old things because her own life feels a bit dusty.

They both have spouses who are, frankly, quite annoying. Gordon’s wife is particularly grating.

I found myself wishing she would just leave the room every time she started talking. It makes you understand why Gordon is so miserable.

Sarah’s husband isn't much better. He is one of those guys who just takes up space and makes everything feel more difficult than it needs to be.

The chemistry between Brook and Dunne is interesting. It is not a sparky kind of love.

It is more like two people who are tired of being alone even when they aren't alone. If that makes sense?

There is a scene in the antique shop that I really liked. The lighting is a bit dim, and you can see all the clutter in the background.

It feels very cozy but also a bit like a cage. Sarah is surrounded by all these beautiful old things, but she is stuck.

I kept looking at the items on the shelves instead of the actors for a minute. There was this weird little statue that looked like a cat.

Anyway, the dialogue is very 1930s. Everyone talks like they are in a play.

Sometimes it feels a bit much, like they are trying to be profound but it just comes off as wordy. It is a lot like Talking It Over in that way.

Clive Brook has this very straight posture. He stands so tall it almost looks painful.

I wonder if his back hurt after filming. He plays the depressed soldier vibe very well, though.

He doesn't smile much. When he does, it feels like a big deal.

The middle of the movie drags a little bit. They talk and they talk, and then they talk some more about whether they should be together.

It is all very proper. Even though they are having an affair, it feels very polite.

I think modern audiences might find it a bit weird how calm they are about everything. ☕

There is a guy named Nils Asther in this too. He has a very striking face.

He shows up and you sort of wonder what his deal is. He doesn't have a lot to do, but he makes an impression.

It reminds me a bit of the random characters in The Boss. Just people floating in and out of the story.

One thing I noticed was the sound. It is an early talkie, so sometimes the background noise is a bit fuzzy.

You can hear the hiss of the film sometimes. I actually kind of like that. It makes it feel like a real artifact.

The costumes are great. Irene Dunne wears some hats that are just... bold.

One hat looked like it was trying to escape her head. But she pulls it off because she is Irene Dunne.

The ending feels a bit rushed. After all that slow building, everything just sort of happens at once.

I wish they had spent more time on the resolution. It felt like they ran out of film or something.

It isn't a masterpiece like some of the bigger films from that year. It is more like a small, quiet story that you find in a bookshop.

If you are looking for something that feels like The Great Accident, this is much more personal and less about a big event.

It is mostly just about two people trying to be happy when the world says they shouldn't be.

I think the title is perfect. If I Were Free. It’s what everyone in the movie is thinking.

"You can't just walk away from a life, Gordon. You have to carry it with you."

That line stuck with me. Even if it is a bit dramatic.

I noticed a mistake in one scene where a shadow moves where it shouldn't. It is right behind Sarah's head.

It probably was just a boom mic or something. But once you see it, you can't unsee it.

The pacing is definitely the biggest issue. It feels longer than it is.

But the acting saves it. Especially the way they use their eyes.

People back then knew how to look at each other without saying anything. It is a lost art.

I wouldn't say this is a must-watch for everyone. But if you have a rainy afternoon and some tea, it is a nice way to spend an hour.

It is definitely better than Ouch!, which is a totally different vibe anyway.

I left the movie feeling a little bit sad but also kind of peaceful. It is that kind of film.

It doesn't try to change your life. It just tells you a story about two people who are tired.

Small things I noticed:

• Gordon’s mustache is very perfectly trimmed. All the time.
• The way the music swells when they touch hands is a bit much.
• The telephone looks like a piece of art. I want one.
• There is a lot of smoking. Like, a lot of smoking.
• One extra in the background of the restaurant scene looks very confused about where to go.
• The lighting on Irene Dunne’s face makes her look like she is glowing.

It is a solid little drama. Not perfect, but very human in its own way. ✨

I think I liked it more than I expected to. Even with the slow parts.

Give it a try if you find it on a streaming service or an old DVD. It’s worth the look.