When Love Is Young: A sweet, messy trip to the big city

Is it worth your time?

If you have a soft spot for the kind of black-and-white fluff that feels like a warm blanket, sure. You'll probably enjoy it if you like rooting for the underdog. But if you’re looking for a gritty look at the music industry, you’re gonna be bored stiff. Some people might find the whole 'small-town girl hits the big time' trope totally exhausted. I get that.

Virginia Bruce has this way of looking at the camera that makes you think she actually believes in the dream, even when the dialogue is just okay. It’s not a masterpiece, but it moves. It doesn't drag its feet, which is more than I can say for some other stuff from that era, like The Wheel of Life.

Odd bits and pieces

• There’s a scene in a boarding house that lasts way too long. I think the director just liked the wallpaper.
• Sterling Holloway shows up, and as always, he steals whatever room he's standing in.
• The transition from opera to Broadway felt a little rushed, like someone forgot they were on a schedule and just decided to skip three weeks of plot.

There's a weird energy when she's trying to get her break. It’s frantic. You can almost feel the movie trying to convince you that this one specific audition is the center of the universe. It’s not, but I liked that it tried.

The pacing is a bit of a rollercoaster. It jumps from sentimental rural scenes to the loud, bright lights of New York with no warning. One minute you're eating corn, the next you're dodging taxis. It’s jarring, but it’s kind of honest about how disorienting the city must have been back then.

Is it better than Afraid to Love? Honestly, they’re barely in the same conversation. This one feels a lot less weighed down by its own ego. It’s just a girl, a stage, and some songs. Sometimes that’s enough. 🎶

Also, the supporting cast is just a collection of faces I’ve seen in a hundred other movies. It’s like a reunion tour for character actors. They do their jobs and get out. I respect that.