Dan Chung

The legendary Otto Preminger directs this socially-minded, controversial story (something he often did) about a love triangle. Joan Crawford is the title character caught in the middle between Dana Andrews as the adulterous, manipulative, hard-talking lawyer (Dan) and Henry Fonda as the resigned, emotional war veteran (Peter). Her loyalty see-saws back-and-forth in a vicious tug-of-war causing her emotional distress and even a trial as a witness (necessary for divorce back then?). I thought all three were excellent here, as well as the direction and script (incredibly insightful and subtle, often saying more in what is left out or with short, dagger-like phrases). The pacing is almost like a film noir with plot expectations thwarted several times throughout. The film is about balancing power within relationships, a woman's independence, and the human struggle of finding what we need, love and want (ideally, one and the same). A gem of American cinema worth finding.