There's one great scene in Beloved Infidel that's so fantastic, it's mind-blowing. Gregory Peck gets drunk and picks a fight with Deborah Kerr, and it escalates into violence. It's the best scene in the movie, and it's the one that will stick with you afterwards. But, unfortunately, the rest of the movie isn't very good.
From the point of view of notorious gossip columnist Sheila Graham, this movie follows the romance of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Graham in the final years of his life. The screenplay feels very biased, and it makes me wonder how much of it was actually true, since Graham's occupation was to blow up drama and cause a scandal in the newspapers. According to this movie, Graham was so physically attractive, Scott just couldn't resist her, and they constantly had blow-up fights and make up and break ups and it was so emotionally abusive that she was always a victim and cared too much and couldn't stay away because she feared for his safety and believe in him-Are you exhausted yet? Are you wondering whether or not every single scene is true? Don't go into this movie with high hopes, and if you're a huge F. Scott Fitzgerald fan, you're bound to be disappointed.
Ironically enough, Graham herself was disappointed with Gregory Peck's casting and portrayal. She wanted someone lighter colored, specifically Bing Crosby or Richard Basehart. Even more ironically, Fitzgerald's daughter was said to have thought Peck nailed her dad's personality. It just goes to show you that children and romantic partners have different points of view of the same person. Clearly, Graham wanted someone who came across as diminutive, unsure, and emotionally vulnerable (remember The Country Girl?). Gregory Peck doesn't look like F. Scott Fitzgerald in the slightest, and he could never pull off diminutive! Richard Basehart would have been wonderful, not only because of his physical appearance, but because he's a better actor. Don't throw anything at me, but Atticus Finch alone doesn't make an entire career of great performances. Basehart has layers Peck just can't take on, and this movie calls for acting chops Peck just doesn't have. If you doubt it, rent Fourteen Hours and try to imagine Gregory Peck on the ledge.
Deborah Kerr gives a typical Deborah Kerr performance, so if you like her, you'll like her in this movie. She's my mom's favorite actress of the golden age, but I'm not a fan. I wholeheartedly commend her for her desperation in the one great scene, though. On the whole, she showcases her wobbly voice, her strength, and her tearful emotion that she normally showcases in her movies. Weigh the potential pros and cons before renting this movie, and if you end up not liking it, just chalk it up to Hollywood drama and put it out of your mind. That's my advice.
