Smilin' Through

Smilin' Through is a heartrending, romantic drama film from 1932 that weaves a thread of longing, love, and mysterious ties through two generations. Directed by Sidney Franklin, this classic tale stars Norma Shearer, Fredric March, and Leslie Howard, who masterfully bring life to an emotionally profound narrative filled with unyielding memories, enduring love, and the possibility of transcendent reconciliation.

The story unfolds in a charming old English country manor occupied by the melancholic John Carteret (Leslie Howard), burdened with a lifetime of heartache and regret over the loss of his beloved fiancée, Moonyean (Norma Shearer), on their wedding day several decades earlier. As a man trapped within the confines of his grief, Carteret lives in the haunted shadows of the past, kept company only by his loyal housekeeper and the ghostly apparition of his lost love.

The charming and radiant Norma Shearer brilliantly and effortlessly portrays Moonyean, the lively and loving spirit that hovers the lush gardens of the manor. Despite her death, she lingers in the movie from beginning to end, shown conversing with John, trying to impart counsel about his life and how he should live it. Shearer’s performance offers the audience an ethereal character dancing between the realms of physical and supernatural existence.

Essentially, the plot of Smilin' Through takes a dramatic turn when Carteret's young ward and niece, Kathleen (also played by Norma Shearer) arrives to his manor. A lively girl bearing an uncanny resemblance to her late aunt Moonyean, Kathleen brings a breath of fresh air into Carteret's drab and grief-stricken life. Shearer’s portrayal of Kathleen is luminous and engaging as she embodies the vibrant young lady who dares to challenge the established norms of her guardian's long grief.

However, Carteret's past torments return when Kathleen falls in love with Kenneth Wayne (Fredric March), the son of the man responsible for Moonyean's demise. March gives a compelling, sensitive performance that does not shy away from the shadows of a conflicted character. His role entails the challenge of portraying not only the dynamic Kenneth but also the young man’s villainous father in the tragic flashback scenes.

Leslie Howard delivers a memorable portrayal as the bereaved John Carteret, embodying the character's sorrow and isolation, yet also his warmth and adoration for his deceased love. His portrayal is strikingly poignant; his quiet solitude and poignant longing pervade the film, establishing him as the tragic hero of this classic melodrama.

The tender chemistry between Shearer and Howard on screen enhances the depth of their characters' relationship and amplifies the narrative’s emotional intensity. Their heart-rending reminiscences and emotional resonance add a hauntingly beautiful edge to the storyline, making it even more compelling.

Smilin' Through excels in its breathtaking cinematography, infusing the tale with enchanting visual splendor. The ethereal shots of Moonyean's ghost in the blooming garden bring an otherworldly beauty to the narrative and superbly illustrate the film's theme of love transcending life and death. The movie's art direction is exemplary, creating deeply captivating and atmospheric settings that contribute significantly to its sentimental narrative.

Moreover, Smilin' Through’s screenplay is distinguished by its poetic dialogue and its focus on themes of love, loss, forgiveness, and the transcendental power of enduring affection. It explores emotionally loaded situations through a lens that is both compassionate and thought-provoking.

Smilin' Through is a classic romantic drama that will captivate viewers who appreciate tales that challenge the boundaries of love, time, and reality. It’s a poignant exploration of the bittersweet dance between love and loss that lingers in the heart long after the credits roll. Infused with poetic dialogue, impressive performances, and a timeless lesson about forgiveness, Smilin' Through from 1932 is truly a classic gem that should not be missed.