Unfaithfully Yours (DVD)

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Flourishes like these distinguish "Unfaithfully Yours" from other formulaic comedies of the era. Sturges cares about each of the characters in his film, no matter how minor they are, and takes the time to consider how to fairly represent them all. If there is such a thing as the "Lubitsch touch" then this must be "the Sturges touch."

As a general rule, I am not a big booster of films which depend so heavily on verbal wit; they often seem too clever by half and are not nearly half as clever as they think they are. "Unfaithfully Yours" does suffer somewhat from its own cuteness, and the middle section is a terrible drag, but the film succeeds, if modestly, based on the strengths of both Harrison and Sturges.

I have never been able to warm to Sturges as much as I feel I am supposed to, but "Unfaithfully Yours" is probably my favorite Sturges film. It is not quite a screwball comedy or a romantic comedy but bears some resemblances to each; actually, it has a much darker aspect to it and might even be described, at least in some sequences, as a noir-comedy. Regardless, if you like Hollywood comedies of the era, "Unfaithfully Yours" is a far better example than most.

Video

The film is presented in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio. As usual, Criterion does a splendid job with this digital restoration. The black and white photography is sharp and blemish-free. You won´t find a better copy anywhere.

Audio

The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Mono. The film makes ample use of classical music and this restored sound transfer does a fine job of preserving the sound; obviously stereo sound would be great here, esp. for the Wagner excerpts, but we can´t have everything. Optional English subtitles support the audio.

Extras

An audio commentary track by film scholars James Harvey, Brian Henderson and Diane Jacobs is the main attraction, and consists largely of the three critics explaining why they agree or disagree with one another. The analysis is of some interest but the fawning praise for Sturges quickly becomes tiresome.

The DVD also includes a Video Introduction by Terry Jones (14 min.) and interview with Sandy Sturges, the director´s widow (24 min.) Jones´ introduction is quite funny, as you would expect from the former Python. Rounding out the collection are a Gallery (stills and correspondence) and a Theatrical Trailer.

Closing Thoughts

Sturges saves his best for last. When he realizes how foolish he has been, Sir Alfred embraces his wife and declares, "A thousand poets dreamed a thousand years, and then you were born." She´s putty in his hands after that. This is such a great line, you can´t help but think Sturges ripped it off from somewhere and he did… from himself. Sturges had spoken these very words to his second wife; I imagine she was putty in his hands as well. Now that, dear readers, is what I call smooth.

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