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7.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Waterloo Bridge remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Okay, so "Waterloo Bridge" from 1931. Is it worth tracking down today? Yeah, I think so, especially if you like old Hollywood melodrama and a good cry.
Fans of early Bette Davis, before she became *the* Bette Davis, will definitely want to see her here. But if you’re looking for fast-paced action or something cheerful, this ain't it. You’ll probably find it slow, maybe even a bit overwrought. 😔
The premise is simple, almost painfully so. Myra (played by a very young Bette Davis) is a ballet dancer in a really tough spot during World War I.
Then she meets Roy (Douglass Montgomery), a charming, totally naive soldier. They fall head over heels, but Myra has this secret, a past that she thinks makes her unworthy of his pure love. It's a classic setup, but man, does it hit hard. 💔
Davis, even in this early role, just *radiates* this deep, unsettling sadness. You see it in her eyes, even when she's trying to smile.
There’s a scene where Roy is talking about their future, all bright and hopeful, and her face… it just crumbles. She’s trying so hard to believe him, but you can tell she’s already lost. It’s a quiet moment, but it’s powerful.
Douglass Montgomery as Roy is… well, he’s *very* earnest. Maybe a little *too* earnest at times. He’s the epitome of the innocent soldier.
His idealism is what makes Myra’s situation so much worse for her. She sees him, this beacon of goodness, and her own perceived darkness just feels heavier.
The whole film really leans into the atmosphere of wartime London. The air raid sirens, soldiers everywhere, a constant feeling of uncertainty.
It's not just background noise; it feels like another character, pressing down on Myra’s choices. That famous bridge, Waterloo Bridge, feels like a silent witness to everything. It’s got a real weight to it.
There's a scene, I think it's early on, where Myra is sitting in her apartment. The camera just kind of stays on her for a moment. No dialogue, just the city sounds.
You can almost feel the loneliness in that room. It’s a small detail, but it stuck with me, like someone forgot to yell "cut." It makes her feel so *real*.
The dialogue can feel a bit formal by today’s standards. People spoke differently then, of course. But it’s not stiff.
There are these lines where Myra tries to push Roy away, to explain without *explaining*. It’s heartbreaking to watch her struggle with it. Roy just doesn’t get it, which is part of the tragedy.
One thing that really got me was how Myra just keeps trying to protect Roy from her own perceived flaws. She makes these really difficult choices, and you just want to scream at the screen: "Tell him! Just tell him!"
But you understand *why* she doesn’t. It’s that deep self-loathing, the feeling she isn't
IMDb —
1930
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