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The Enchanted Cottage
- Review Date: May 4, 2003
- NR
- Genre: Classic
- 1945
Common Sense Media says
For Valentine's Day, try this romantic classic.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has no inappropriate content. It's made for true romantics at heart, so kids might find it boring.
What's the story?
In THE ENCHANTED COTTAGE, Mrs. Minnett (Mildred Natwick), a widow, owns a small cottage that she rents out to honeymoon couples. Some people believe there is a magic about the house that keeps the couples safe and happy. Laura (Dorothy McGuire) is a plain girl who comes to work in the house. Oliver (Robert Young), rich and careless, comes to see the house and reserves it for his honeymoon. But before his wedding, he is seriously injured. He comes to the cottage alone and bitter, to retreat from the world. Wanting to shield himself from his family and his former fiancee, he impulsively proposes to Laura, who accepts, but does not tell him that she loves him. He is so self-absorbed that he does not even wonder why she agrees. But the honeymoon cottage works its enchantment, and they realize that they have become beautiful and whole, and deeply in love. But when Oliver's family arrives, they cannot see the transformation. Oliver and Laura are crushed, until they realize that the enchantment was love, and that it would always make them beautiful to one another.
Is it any good?
Like the magic in the story, this movie is only for believers, but there are many cynics who have a special affection for what can only be called its enchantment. As Antoine de Saint-Exupery penned in The Little Prince, "It is only with the heart that once can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." Many children will not have the patience for this story, but others will find it one of their favorite films.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how the writer and director help the viewer believe in the magic that Oliver and Laura feel. Why doesn't Oliver want to see his family? Do people in love see each other differently than other see them? Can you think of other movies or books where this happens?
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AGE
REMAKE this film for VETS, Others TODAY!!! Make DVD of it!
The Enchanted Cottage (1945) again---enchanted me, the hypercritical movie lady.
There's a POTENT secret to this cottage.
A disfigured war vet whose well- off family...well...is embarrassed by him...whose planned marriage did not happen after his war injury...meets and feels sorry for...a homely but kind and good young woman. (The scene in the canteen where she sneaks out after none of the young soldiers will dance with her.. What pain!)
SOMEBODY OUT THERE..REMAKE THIS FILM (OR AT LEAST PUT IT ON DVD) .this film was based on a play (so I hear) which was written actually for the FIRST world war. As many vets came home disfigured, this play was a way for young couples to see beneath the skin---to the soul.
A STYLISH BUT SENSITIVE *MODERN* VERSION OF THE ENCHANTED COTTAGE WOULD BE A GREAT BOON TO VETS TODAY...many of whom are coming back missing limbs.
Says great character actor Mildrid Natwick to the amazed young couple..."Shall I tell you the secret.....?"
Find. Rent. Buy. Watch. Just see it!
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AGE
everyone watch it
this is one of my favorite movies. I am 64. the phrase Love is Blind, comes to mind. Beauty and the Beast. it is a wonderful movie.
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| Studio: | RKO |
| Director: | John Cromwell |
| Cast: | Dorothy McGuire, Herbert Marshall, Robert Young |
| Genre: | Classic |
| Run time: | 91 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 2, 1945 |
| DVD release date: | February 16, 2006 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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