It Had to Be You

Warning to guys - you will probably hate this movie. But I think most women, judging from the user comments, will love it. This is a quintessential chick flick. It shouldn't be taken too seriously as it is a fantasy piece. You will have to suspend your sense of reality to enjoy this. But that's the point.

At the heart of this story is the idea that we all have one true love we are destined to be with. Call it Fate, Destiny, or even God-ordained - but it's the notion that forces will conspire to put us in touch with our one and only soul-mate.

This movie reminds me of another one of my favorite contemporary movies, Serendipity(2001), in the sense of being destined to find our soul-mate (although it is not a fantasy piece). I think guys probably find the fantasy, imaginary friend notion of IHTBY a little too corny for their tastes. But if you like a good, cheesy romance story, then you should like this picture.

I've notice several reviewers criticize Rogers for her little girl, squeaky voice. But I think in this role, it enhances the story. If you look at it from the idea that she is like a little girl who has never really grown up - but is somewhat frozen in time to back when she was 6 years old, when she first meets her "soul-mate". I know this is a stretch, but that is how I interpreted it and it worked for me.

I love the sets and costumes in this movie. It makes for a visual feast. Rogers' gowns are unbelievably gorgeous, especially the wedding gown at the very end. But even her dressing gowns were quite elaborate, adding to the notion of just how wealthy her family is. I find it hard to believe women actually wore these - they look incredibly uncomfortable! If the beautiful mansion set with the incredible staircase looks familiar, you may recognize it from Holiday (1938), the George Cukor film starring Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant. That staircase is just amazing - the most beautiful I have ever seen.

There is one thing I did find hard to swallow, and I didn't notice it until Rogers and Wilde are in the car and he finally decides to marry her. How did he not notice the huge, honking diamond engagement ring on her finger and not know she was already engaged? Also, look closely at Wilde's left ring finger in this scene as well. He looks like he is wearing a ring on that finger that is being disguised so as to not be noticeable. What is that about?

This film opens with the funniest "Preston Sturges" sequence not written or directed by Preston Sturges (unless anyone knows otherwise?) It's a montage of lavish high society wedding ceremonies at which, over several years, Ginger Rogers jilts a series of different grooms at the altar, the comic tension and perspiration mounting as each of her "I do" moments approaches.

Sadly, after that, the Panama-Frank screenplay switches to the sub-genre of psychological or fantasy comedy, already attempted by Ginger in Lady in the Dark (1944). Here, she conjures up a physical incarnation of her ideal man, which turns out to be Cornel Wilde dressed as an (American) "Indian" complete with feathered headband - an erotic fantasy unlikely to be shared by many viewers. He's more irritating than amusing, especially as Wilde's idea of playing comedy is to wear a perpetual grin, and when he crashes through a window to reach Ginger he reminded me of Walter Pidgeon's Id monster in Forbidden Planet.

The much-delayed explanation for his appearance arrives with Ginger's viewing of an old home movie showing a childhood sweetheart who wore the same "Indian" costume. It certainly suggests arrested development in her character, supposedly aged 26, though Rogers herself was around 36 at the time. She then searches for the "real" adult embodiment of the boy in the home movie, who unfortunately is also played by Cornel Wilde (without so much grinning, so we can tell them apart). With the fictional and real Wilde running around like identical twins, more complications ensue and I wondered if it inspired Woody Allen in The Purple Rose of Cairo, especially given the movie-within-movie angle.

Sweet comedy that can best be described as daffy. Ginger hadn't yet slipped into her grand lady mode and is a dizzy delight with an amazing wardrobe, the wedding dress with shimmering halo is something to behold! She's also at the peak of her personal beauty and looks stunning throughout, save one scene where she wears one of the ugliest hats ever.

Cornel Wilde was always an agile, agreeable comedian and matches well with Ginger, handling his dual role with aplomb.

Spring Byington and especially Percy Waram are delightful as the exasperated parents of the indecisive Miss Rogers.

A minor comedy but anyone who enjoyed The Major and the Minor will like this.

Life holds much promise as Victoria (Ginger Rogers) stands beautifully gowned in her wedding dress next to her chosen mate for the big moment of saying "I do." But to her dismay the words just never do come out and she runs off down the aisle leaving mayhem behind her. This disaster occurs three times, a year apart, in the end leaving her and everyone else exasperated.

Enter prospective groom No. 4 named Oliver and she's determined to see it through this time no matter what. However, Fate steps in with a most peculiar fantasy figure (of her imagination it seems) she names George (Cornel Wilde), who creates compromising situations in her life yet gradually points the way out for her bewilderment.

When she recalls an old sweetheart from childhood days, Johnny, who is now a fireman (also played by Cornel Wilde), she realizes he's the one for her but there are many tangled threads to set aright.

The beginning of the movie is amusing but picks up momentum as it progresses and becomes downright hilarious. I found it very funny where Victoria bursts out in confusion, "But I'm going to marry Oliver," (or words to that effect) as if trying to convince herself. It reminds me of that saying, "The heart has reasons that reason does not understand."

It's an enjoyable movie with a surprising twist to the ending. I too wish the video was available; was lucky to see it on tv.

Ginger Rogers stars as a pending bride who's noted for leaving her suitor(s) at the altar. But this time, she's sure of her decision...until a new suitor, literally, shows up in her dreams.

Although I don't believe something like this could REALLY happen, I was in the mood for something light and I ended up watching this. I've never been a big fan of the old movies, but I saw "Chicago" with Gere, Zellweger, and Zeta-Jones and then saw the film "Roxie Hart" (1927) with Ginger Rogers, and kind of liked the campy comedy that this film portrayed, so I keep an eye out for her on TCM and whenever I stumble across one of her films, I try and watch them. As I said, I don't believe the premise of the film could ever happen, but the way Ginger looks at Cornel Wilde is believable and, although it's probably with more infatuation than love, I know every guy wishes for a girl to look at him that way.

The story won't necessarily keep you enthralled, but your wondering how they're gonna get out of this predicament will! 8 out of 10 stars!