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Absolutely Fantastic

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Ingrid Bergman as Clio Dulaine is great, as usual. She was 28 at the time this picture was filmed, and had just finished "Casablanca." Cooper as Clint Maroon is, well, "the Coop," as usual. Cooper is at his best on the open range and not so much in the drawing room. The background of the story is complicated. I had to watch the picture a couple of times to figure it out. From the inscription on the burial crypt of Clio's mother, Rita, it appears that this story was set in 1881-1882 or so, in New Orleans (later Saratoga, NY). Rita was the common-law wife of Clio's father Nicolas Dulaine (also deceased), who was a leading member of the Creole upper crust of New Orleans. Rita is referred to as a "placée," which appears to be Creole French slang for "mistress." Rita's mother was a sex worker. Rita's grandmother was a (free) person of color. Clio wants to marry a rich man, and has the physical attributes of Ingrid Bergman to help her out. Bergman carries the role. Clio has two servants, one a black nanny, Angelique, who is unfortunately played by an English actress wearing skin coloration makeup ("blackface" is what it is and that bothered me but Hollywood was not above such casting in those days). Clio's other servant was a real dwarf, Cupidon, who was great! Hollywood still had a trace of vaudeville in it in those days and Cupidon provided comic relief. Anyway, that is the setting for the picture. One thing that strains credibility (but is the heart of the movie) is that Clint moves in with Clio and yet Clio is still intent on finding herself a "rich husband." Later Clio follows Clint to Saratoga and takes an adjoining hotel room to Clint and they unlock the door between them but still Clio is working on getting a "rich husband." Bergman makes this scenario believable. Anyway, the film is fun to watch and has a Hollywood ending.

I found this movie simply delightful! It was lighthearted and fun, even though (or perhaps because?) it contained much conniving, a dash of revenge, a spat of violence, and a heaping helping of delicious conspiracy. The protagonist and all her cohorts are certainly not pillars of virtue, but then again, in reality, people never really are, are they? Besides, all the shenanigans going on are what make it so fun to watch! Ingrid Bergman is gorgeous as the leading lady, and Gary Cooper perfectly cast as the dashing Texan and the rest of the supporting cast definitely added to the fun! Don't get hung up on the history, improbability or the few bad reviews. Give it a chance. It left me with a smile, and I'm a tough cookie! Enjoy! WARNING: Do not watch this if you are looking for a serious period piece with lofty values, and high moral content. Watch it with some popcorn, in your jammies when you're in the mood for some light entertainment. It fits the bill.

I have to admit I am prejudiced about my vote on this film, but I have strong reasons as I know some of the true history that was given the Hollywood treatment here. Edna Ferber's novel upon which this is based is from an era where real names can't be used. In a way, this film is all smoke & mirrors. Even though it was released in 1946, it was filmed shortly after Casablanca. Ingrid Bergman is at her most radiant in this movie as a brunette. She plays a beautiful woman who is trying to trade on her beauty to get a rich husband. Today that is a gold digger, but in this social era, she is desirable & the kind of woman who makes all the men want her, & all the old snooty society types talk of her & avoid her, while wishing they were her. Ingrid is at her best & plays this role well. Some sympathy for Ingrids character is raised in the New Orleans section of this film as she manages to get a decent belated tomb for her scandalized mother as part of the settlement by her relatives to get her to leave New Orleans. The snooty family of relatives there are so scandalized by her that they will do almost anything she asks to get her to leave town. Gary Cooper is good in this film though he already appears to be aging a bit to play a dashing Texan Bachelor/Gambler. He pulls it off well considering that handicap which he appeared older than he was due to his real life chain smoking. Flora Robison as Ingrid's Maid got nominated for an Oscar as supporting actress in this film. Jerry Austin as Cupidor was over-looked in many ways for his role but is the only comic relief in the film & does it well.When the film moves to Saratoga, it depicts accurately how important Saratoga was in that era. I like the sequence when Bergman walks to the Saratoge Spring to get some of the "sulfur" water which everyone considered so healthy then. When she drinks some she forces herself not to make a face and comments how good it is & that she must have more. The real history is the railroad battle which really occurred on the rail line in Tunnel, New York- which is the actual Saratoga Trunk the film title is derived from. This battle actually happened in 1869 between agents for Andrew Carnagie & J. P. Morgan. The line was the economic key to the country in 1869 connecting coal country & the east coast. The references to it are throughout the film are very real. There is even some dialog describing Carnagie as a "Scot" though the reference is vague & unfamiliar to anyone not knowing the history around the battle.The railroad line & the railroad tunnel in Tunnel, New York (zip code 13848) still exist although the film was shot in California. The real tunnel is about 1 mile long. It is still part of a key freight line today, years after this occurred. I grew up there. Gary Cooper's line in the film while he is riding the train into the tunnel is right, it is still "mighty pretty country".

I would rate this film high on my list of Ingrid Bergman films. Ingrid's beauty aside, her talent is evident in scene after scene. She was sad, mean, witty,snobbish, flirtatious, delightfully funny, loving, tender, sorrowful, distressed, happy, etc. You name it, she was all those things and more. -And soconvincing. Ingrid plays a notorious woman (Clio) who comes back to NewOrleans and falls for a Texas gambler, Gary Cooper (Clint). I especially loved the scene where they are sitting at the dining table saying nothing, just staring at each other. She, in an elegant white gown and he in a handsome white cowboyoutfit, sitting there looking at her adoringly. What chemistry! What love!