Where Love Has Gone

Based on a best-selling novel by Harold Robbins, Where Love Has Gone is a 1964 drama that explores the complexities and scandals of a rich and conflicted family. The movie is directed by Edward Dmytryk and features powerhouse performances from Hollywood legends such as Bette Davis, Susan Hayward, and Mike Connors.

The film begins with the high-profile headline news of a teenager being arrested for a shocking crime: murdering her boyfriend. The teenager is Danielle "Danny" Miller (Joey Heatherton), a troubled and rebell-type character who is forced to face such serious criminal charges at such a young age.

Soon, the focus of the narrative shifts from the courtroom to the family drama that unfolds behind closed doors. As the story progresses, the viewers are offered glimpses into the dysfunctional family life of Danielle from which the tragedy stemmed. The larger story that is masterfully unraveled centers around her mother, Valerie Hayden Miller (Susan Hayward), and her estranged father, Luke Miller (Mike Connors).

Valerie Hayden Miller, a gifted but disgruntled sculptor, dominates the screen and plot with her tumultuous relationships and relentless passion. Coming from a life of privilege and art, she’s caught in a constant struggle between her own desires and the expectations and pressures of high society, leading to a turbulent relationship with her own daughter. Susan Hayward delivers a stunning conveyance of a woman trapped in her own life of luxury and societal pressures.

Bette Davis gives a robust performance as Mrs. Hayden, Valerie's controlling and domineering mother, who exerts an unhealthy influence over her daughter's life. Davis' portrayal is a perfect mix of an imposing presence with an ostentatious display of wealth and power, obscuring a deeply flawed and manipulative nature.

Mike Connors plays Luke Miller, a talented but disillusioned architect and the estranged father of Danielle. Initially portrayed as a passive character, Luke gradually unveils his inner depth and strength as the drama unfolds. Feeling helpless and distanced from his own family, he is shown struggling with feelings of regret and a desire to reconnect with his long-lost daughter.

Director Edward Dmytryk manages to transform an already gripping narrative into a brilliantly crafted spectacle of tormented characters, excessive indulgence, denied passions and shocking scandals. The suburban California setting serves as a perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama, amplifying the themes of wealth, status, and alienation.

What enhances the narrative of Where Love Has Gone is an equally potent musical score by Walter Scharf. Supporting the film's ominous mood, Scharf’s stirring compositions echo the plight of every character and aptly intensify critical junctures of the plot.

The elegance and grandeur of 1960s era are remarkably captured in the film's impeccable production design. From the splendid mansions bursting with opulence to meticulously researched costumes reflecting the era's high fashion, such stunning visual details beautifully punctuate the storyline.

Even though Where Love Has Gone was set in an era that glamorized extravagance, underneath all these layers of pettiness, opulence, and pomp, there lies a profoundly human story. The movie is a heartbreaking exploration of discord, dissatisfaction, and desolation where love once existed, complemented by a critique of the high society and its destructive influence on personal relationships.

Where Love Has Gone serves as a dramatic and dark portrait of a family mired in secrecy, deception and rampant unhappiness. The masterful performances, the complex and layered storyline, the richly textured dialogue, and the artful exploration of the human experience of love, loss, and despair all contribute to a compelling viewing experience that remains memorable long after the initial viewing.

In summary, Where Love Has Gone is a powerful exploration of a family in crisis, showcasing how the trappings of wealth, status, and societal expectations can lead to tragic personal consequences. From Bette Davis's regal dominance, Susan Hayward's tortured passion, and Mike Connors' subtle strength, this drama serves as a canvas for some of the era’s finest acting performances. A potent mix of dramatic narrative and a critical social commentary, it offers a bleak but powerful exploration of realities covered beneath the lavish lifestyles of the era's upper crust.