Indiscreet

In 1958 Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman teamed to make a frothy romantic comedy called Indiscreet, which is the kind of movie they really don't make anymore. It was based on a play, and has many of the elements of a sophisticated drawing room comedy that was a staple in those days, not so much anymore.

Bergman stars as a famous actress living in London. She's down on men, but is instantly smitten with Grant, who plays an economist. Turns out Bergman's brother-in-law (a delightfully droll Cecil Parker) is trying to get Grant to accept a post with NATO. Grant is equally attracted to Bergman, and tells her he is married but separated, with no option of divorcing. Bergman decides to be daring and is fine with this, and the two embark upon an idyllic affair.

But Parker finds out that Grant really isn't married. It seems that Grant uses that ploy to avoid telling girlfriends that he has no intention of ever marrying. This leads to situation comedy lines like Bergman, after learning of Grant's deception, saying "How could he have made love to me when he's not married!" The film ends with the lackadaisical farce of Bergman having her milquetoast chauffeur pretending to be a former beau to make Grant jealous.

Fifty years later my response is a kind of a shrug. I mean, Grant and Bergman are impeccably attractive movie stars. Bergman is gifted at light comedy, and Grant, well, he's Cary Grant, and here he gets to be the kind of man every other man wishes they were. Did anyone ever look so good in a tuxedo? The direction, by Stanley Donen, leaves heavily on the tasteful and refined. A person feels like they should dress up just to watch this.