Devotion is purportedly the story of the talented Bronte sisters, Emily who wrote Wuthering Heights, Charlotte who wrote Jane Eyre and Anne who really didn't do too much of anything. They are played respectively by Ida Lupino, Olivia DeHavilland and Nancy Coleman. Literary scholars aren't crazy about this film from a historical perspective, still it's good entertainment and provides some really good parts for women.
The Bronte sisters live in Yorkshire near the famous moors that served as the background for their literary effort with their father Montagu Love who is a vicar. For his time he's a pretty liberal sort of fellow who insists on an education for his daughters. But his real concern is his dissolute son Branwell played by Arthur Kennedy. He's a painter and a misunderstood genius. Truth be told he's a bit of a lout as well, but his sisters love him.
This film has such an odd history it was made in 1943-44 and held up deliberately by the brothers Warner while Olivia DeHavilland was in court with them over her contract. She won the case and left to freelance, but the film stayed on the shelf until 1946 when DeHavilland got rave reviews for To Each His Own which garnered her first Oscar. After that Jack Warner being the practical sort decided spite was not a luxury he could indulge in and he released Devotion to cash in on Olivia's new found box office.
Because of that this film became the farewell performance of Montagu Love who played a great variety of parts going back to the early silent days.
Paul Henreid is in this as well as the young curate assigned to Love's parish. His Viennese accent crops out occasionally during the film, making him sound a bit odd for an English clergyman. Still he does a fine job.
Lupino and DeHavilland are a well matched pair of sisters. But acting honors definitely go to Arthur Kennedy. It's an expansive part that Kennedy makes the most of. Viewers will also enjoy Sydney Greenstreet in a small part as William Makepeace Thackerey who encourages the Brontes in their literary careers.
Even if it was a belated release, Devotion was a great film for Olivia DeHavilland to wrap up her stormy career at Warner Brothers.
