Unfinished Business

This was an odd little piece of filmmaking from Universal back in 1941. Irene Dunne plays a never married woman, Nancy Andrews, probably in her mid to late 20's, who has spent her life raising her younger sister who is now marrying. In 1941 in Ohio, where this movie starts, Nancy would be considered a spinster. Sis and her new husband have a surprise for her - she can come live with them! Nancy doesn't want to be treated to life in a rocking chair just yet and decides to leave and go off to the big city (New York) and "do things". However, she doesn't really have a plan, and it seems that is part of the attraction for her - for once in her life, having no plan.

On the train to New York she meets rich playboy Steve Duncan (Preston Foster). He makes a bet with his companion on who can pick up the most attractive woman and bring her back to their compartment first. Nancy is not wise in the ways of the world and does not see this obvious fellow for what he is, and is charmed by him and believes his pick up lines as sincerity. Steve wins the bet but decides to go for the gold and seduces Nancy. Now this is where things get murky - probably deliberately. As the train whistles, Steve, with an expression that screams "date rape" in modern times, comes closer and closer to Nancy and they wind up kissing - it is mutual. The camera then moves to the outside of the train with that train still whistling. The insinuation is that they sleep together.

They arrive in New York, and Steve says he will call her. He has no such intention. She is just the latest conquest among many and he is engaged - something he never told her - to someone he probably doesn't love any more than the rest of his conquests. However, his intended is old money like himself and that is what matters. Slowly Nancy comes to the realization that she's been used like yesterday's newspapers, and through luck and coincidence winds up a novelty "singing operator" at a nightspot run by the always fascinating to watch Walter Catlett. So who winds up at the nightspot one night but slimy Steve, his fiancée, and Steve's brother Tommy (Robert Montgomery), who shares Steve's worst characteristics PLUS he is a drunk. However, Tommy takes a genuine shine to Nancy and they begin dating. Primarily Tommy is "Steve by proxy" in Nancy's life - she still carries a torch. However Tommy is so drunk most of the time he can't see this. They marry on a lark - Tommy is drunk, Nancy is trying to put Steve behind her. The next day Tommy doesn't even remember that he got married and Nancy doesn't seem to care. How will this all work out? I'll let you watch and find out.

I'll just say that a busy boarding house, a little accident, the United States Army, and the opera are all involved. Oh, and one of those girls from Tommy's past that meant no more to Tommy than Nancy did to brother Steve is pivotal in a small but important role.

I liked this movie because it dealt with an issue that was seldom brought up in the production code era - that a woman can have a past involving some man that she loved and even made a fool of herself over, but didn't get and always carries a torch for, and not wind up the object lesson in some Victorian morality play. Life goes on. This one is very much worth your time exactly because it doesn't go where you think it is going and with a talented cast to boot.

This film, so long ignored by most critics and viewers alike, deserves a fresh look and those who watch it will be in for a treat. The film is surprisingly modern, with pre-marital sex (off-screen of course but hardly your usual Irene Dunne behavior!) and a gone-wild girl marrying on the "rebound." Gregory LeCava is nothing less than a fascinating director and he certainly delivers with this forgotten gem. Dunne is in her usual great actress category while the story never goes sentimental. In fact, the ending is something of a shock with no pretensions of a happy conclusion. Catch this one!

Every star has a list of movies they'd rather not have made, and I would guess this movie is one of Irene Dunne's. She did a good job in it, and the plot wasn't as inprobable as many movies on the market today. But the movie is dated in many ways: Small town girl goes to big city; falls for the first smooth-talker she meets; marries somebody else on the rebound; eventually falls deeply in love with him; everybody lives happily ever-after. If Irene Dunne weren't in it, this movie would have little to commend it. But she adds luster to practically everything she ever made. This is a film worth watching because it has its comic moments. And after all - it has Irene Dunne.

This curiosity piece for Robert Montgomery and/or Irene Dunne fans should be left alone. I wanted to like this film, but frankly it felt like it was thrown together. Irene is torn between brothers Preston Foster and Bob, and all they do is talk and talk. Irene Dunne's presence helps the viewer to keep watching, but this clearly is one of her worst films, and I usually try to see the best in my favorite actors' movies. You've been warned.

I found this to be a very disquieting film. Not only because it seems to straddle genres between screwball comedy and bittersweet romance but because I simply can't believe Irene Dunne's character. She acts well in this film but I cannot believe that she would let herself succumb to Preston Foster's villainous charms and then carry a torch for him after what we are led to believe is a one night stand. Dunne's character is completely wrapped up in that encounter and she can't believe that the love she imparted will never be returned. She is the only one who can't see that she is just another notch on Preston Foster's belt! And all the while a new love, Robert Montgomery, is ready, willing and able but yet Dunne is oblivious to the depth of his feelings for her. Though she marries him and bears him a child, it is not until the very end of the film that they come full circle as a couple and then only after each has found their own identity--she as a chorus member in the opera and he as a soldier. On the plus side, it is refreshing to watch veteran character actors Eugene Palette and Esther Dale in small but crucial parts, the former providing much needed comic relief. Almost skipped this one entirely, only Miss Dunne's loveliness and Robert Montgomery's acerbic wit saved it.