Magnificent Obsession

Jane Wyman is stiff and motionless both before and after becoming blind. She reacts to bad news as though someone has just told her the morning paper has been mislaid. She seems so much older than Rock Hudson that the love interest between them is unbelievable and seems silly. I thought she seems old enough to be his mother. Why do blind people in movies not recognize the voice of someone known prior to blindness? This also makes the story unbelievable. There is much music, mostly Chopin, in the background (coming to the foreground frequently). Rock Hudson's car is one of the most interesting items in this movie. A blind person would surely recognize the sound, smell, feel of a car like this! Based on this car and Hudson's valiant work to carry this movie, I give this a 5 star rating.

Having seen both versions of Magnificent Obsession, I have to say I prefer the remake. It's glossier and more melodramatic, which is the point of such a soapy story. However, neither movie grabs me or makes me reach for the Kleenex box. In 1936, I couldn't stand Robert Taylor, and in 1954, I didn't like Jane Wyman very much. Mild dislike wins out over an intense one, so if you're going to rent one of the versions, I'd recommend this one.

Rock Hudson is a careless playboy, and when he endangers himself in a senseless accident, he uses up valuable emergency medical equipment that could have gone to someone else-literally. Because the equipment was used to save Rock's life, a beloved doctor in a nearby hospital died. Rock feels very guilty and tries to make it up to the man's widow, Jane Wyman, but she understandably hates him and can't forgive him. Then, in another cruel twist of fate, Rock accidentally hits Jane with his car and blinds her! The movie is titled Magnificent Obsession because he makes it his mission to make up for all the wrong he's done to her, so if that story appeals to you, you'll probably like it.

It really is an interesting, melodramatic story that could have stood another remake. If you like the chemistry of the two leads, you can check out the other romance they made together, All That Heaven Allows. I would have preferred another choice for this movie's lead, someone more tragic like Jennifer Jones or Susan Hayward. Then again, Jane Wyman did play tragic figures in Johnny Belinda and The Glass Menagerie, so if you like her style, you might really like her in this.

This is a nice remake of the classic 1935 film of the same title that starred Irene Dunne and Robert Taylor, this 1954 adaptation is fathful to former original . This time is starred by Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson, both of whom give fine acting . It deals with a drunken playboy : Rock Hudson inadvertently causes death Jane Wyman's husband, but then Wyman to be knocked down in an automobile accident and eventually blinded. The the alcoholic playboy plagued by guilt leaves his previous roguish life and devots his existence to studying medicine in order to restore the widow's sight . Stricken with remorse , he gets redemption by becoming a surgeon and attempting to cure her . The story of a woman's need for a man that will become one of the great emotional tour lifetime ¡ .The great love story by the author of "The Robe" by Lloyd C. Douglas . Here is a love story that will become one of the deepest emotional thrills of your lifetime !.

A melodramatic movie with emotion , romance , fatalism, sacrifice and tragedy . Starring duo are pretty well, Rock Hudson as the playboy who for a deep feeeling of guilt he becomes a brain surgery, though he looks a touch bewildered but toughs it out , this role lifted Rock to stardom. However , this character was firstly offered to Jeff Chandler , but he turned down, the reason for considering the film was too much soapy . While Jane Wyman as the mature widow takes it in her stride, she had Academy Award Nomination but lost to Audrey Hepburn for "Roman Holiday" directed by William Wyler . Other secondaries are frankly well , such as : Barbara Rush , Paul Cavanagh , Otto Kruger , Gregg Palmer, Richard Cutting, Mae Clarke and Agnes Moorehead.

It contains luxurious and colorful cinematography by Russell Metty . As well as sensitive and romantic musical by Frank Skinner .The motion picture lavishly produced Universal Pictures/Ross Hunter was compellingly directed by Douglas Sirk. He was an expert on melodrama, though also made other genres , such as : " A scandal in París" "Lured", "First Legion", "All I desire", "All the Heaven allows", "Written on the Wind", "Tarnished Angels", "Battle Hymn" , "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" , "Athila King of Huns" , "A Time to Love and a Time to Die" , "Imitation of Life" , among others. The yarn will appeal to Rock Hudson and Jane Wyman fans . Rating : 7/10. Better than average . Well worth seeing .

Douglas Sirk directed a lot of films that capitalized on the melodramas that were highly popular in the fifties. In "Magnificent Obsession" he shows why he was probably the man that was born to direct this film, as well as others of the genre. This is a remake of the film of 1935, which had been a vehicle for Irene Dunne and Robert Taylor.

Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson seemed to be unlikely candidates for playing a romantic couple in the movies. After all, Ms. Wyman was older than Mr. Hudson and clearly appeared to be in the film. The story, which is based on LLoyd Douglas novel, has a little bit of everything.

"Magnificent Obsession" proved to be a hit for its stars. In a way, it's easy to see why fans were attracted to it, with its many twists and turns and the impossible love between Helen and Dr. Bob Merrick, the playboy who becomes contrite after he causes the accident that makes Helen blind. Also in the cast the magnificent Agnes Moorehead, who has great moments in the film.

Bob Merrick (Rock Hudson) gets his commuppance and learns to be not such a reckless rich twat, with the help of a fairy godfather and falling in love with a woman he made go blind!

If you've never heard of Douglas Sirk, be prepared that this will be melodrama city. Production values are superb, though. Sirk was a very talented craftsman, as well as creating a beautiful aesthetic for these films.

Sirk made the hospital and the classic American home look as artificial and sanitised as he could: with lipstick so bright and full the lips jump off the faces, sculpted hair and good looks, everything in its right place and colours so stark it looks like a children's colour book. These locales are contrasted with a couple of other places, darkly beautiful: the scene where Rock is sitting at a bar, which starts with the rather loose and drunk looking woman leaning up against the wall, with curls of cigarette smoke and beautiful light in the background. The other is the night scene in Paris, with such exquisite light coming through the doors of the apartment.

Rock is actually pretty good in the film, and really perfect looking. I can see why Sirk picked him out - he's a Ken doll - playing the fantasy American: rich, beautiful and devil-may-care. And after this flick, he was also a star.

3/5. I liked La Habanera better, though.