Movie Review: A Woman's Man (1934)
Synopsis: Rising up from poverty, Gloria Jordan has had a successful and lucrative movie career but has also grown into a diva who insists on getting what she wants. This includes up-and-coming boxer Joe Flynn. The two begin seeing each other despite the relationship interfering with his training and jeopardizing his shot at the championship. There's also the problem of Gloria already being in a relationship with playboy actor Roger Pentley, which Joe learns about the night of the big fight.
Who's in it? The movie stars Marguerite De La Motte, Wallace Ford, John Halliday, Kitty Kelly and Jameson Thomas.
Review: I came across A Woman's Man some time ago but never got around to watching it until this morning. The film, thanks to a vague description, wasn't quite what I expected it to be but ultimately turned out to be a good classic drama.
Gloria (De La Motte) was an intriguing character. She was the kind of person I wanted to like but between her diva-like qualities, her inability to tell the truth and the way she was able to manipulate people by making them think she cared (when it was unclear if she really did), it was difficult to do that.
At the same time though, I found it hard to feel sorry for those around her because they were willingly taking the abuse because of the benefits it brought. Her friend/secretary Molly (Kelly) especially fit this category since she seemed like a strong, capable woman but every time she threatened to leave, was easily manipulated into staying.
This made Gloria's relationship with Joe (Ford) an interesting one because it was unclear if he that guy that would make her genuinely fall in love for the first time or if he was just a pawn in her game. The relationship wasn't anywhere near as predictable as I thought it would be as a result, especially when she wasn't ending her Hollywood romance with Roger (Thomas)
The lack of predictability included the film's ending, which had a couple unexpected turns and did leave some things up in the air regarding Gloria and if she had really changed. At minimum, it made me wonder if the man she claimed to really love was entering into the most toxic relationship of his life.
Final Opinion: It's an interesting drama that didn't end in a way I would have expected. It probably could have used a bit more boxing but otherwise was a good choice for a movie.
My Grade: B
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Here are some reviews of other romantic dramas:
Movie Review: The Lucky One (2012)
Movie Review: Knights of the Round Table (1953)
Movie Review: A Week in Paradise (2022)
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