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5.7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Left Over Ladies remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like 1930s movies where everyone talks like they have a train to catch, yes. It is a solid pick for a rainy afternoon when you want some vintage drama without it being too heavy.
People who love old Hollywood style will dig it. If you hate scratchy audio or movies where people sit in rooms and talk about their feelings, you will probably be bored to tears.
The movie jumps right into the deep end of divorce court. It feels very modern in a weird way because nobody is really a 'villain' at first.
Patricia and Ronny are the couple that is still totally in love. They are just too stubborn to admit they made a mistake by calling it quits.
Then you have Jerry and Amy. They are the ones who just don't care anymore. It is a nice contrast.
Usually, movies from this era are either slapstick or super serious. This one sits in a strange middle ground that feels a bit more like real life.
The best part of the whole thing is Marjorie Rambeau as 'Duchess.' She plays this aging, tragic lady who has clearly seen better days.
She looks a bit tired and her eyes tell a whole story that the script doesn't even have to write down. Every time she is on screen, the movie gets about ten times more interesting.
There is this moment where she looks at Patricia and you can just feel the regret pouring off her. It is not subtle, but it works.
She represents the 'left over lady' the title is talking about. It is a pretty harsh way to describe someone, but that is the 1930s for you.
I noticed that the sets look a bit cramped. It feels like they were filming in a very small studio space.
The way they handle the kid, Buddy, is typical for the time. Buster Phelps is cute, but his hair is way too perfect for a kid who is supposed to be going through a family crisis.
There is a scene where they are talking about the kid's future that feels a bit long. It drags on about thirty seconds more than it needs to.
Also, the smoking. Everyone is always smoking. I think there is more smoke in some scenes than actual air.
It is not as fast-paced as something like The Flying Fleet. It is much more of a 'chamber piece' where the drama comes from the actors' faces.
The movie is trying really hard to tell you that divorce is a bad idea. It is very preachy toward the end.
But because it was made before the strict censorship rules really kicked in, it feels a bit more raw than movies from 1935 or 1940. It reminds me a bit of the tension in Inside the Lines, though the subject is totally different.
I honestly didn't expect to like it as much as I did. It is a bit of a hidden gem if you can get past the old-fashioned moralizing.
One reaction shot of Ronny looking at a photo lingers so long it almost becomes funny. You can almost hear the director yelling 'Look sadder!' from off-camera.
Anyway, it's a short watch. If you have an hour and change, give it a go. Just don't expect a masterpiece.
"A mistake is just a mistake until you let it ruin your whole life." — That's basically the vibe of the whole movie.
It’s an okay movie for what it is. Not great, but human.
IMDb —
1917
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