This story of a young lawyer named John (James Stewart) who impulsively marries bubbly young Jane (Carole Lombard) after a single day combines romantic drama, light comedy, and tearjerker elements into a film that never quite settles on any one of these genres. Made for Each Other (1939) follows the struggling couple as they face real-world challenges, with John taken for granted by the boss of his law firm (Charles Coburn) and forced to take a pay cut in the tight economy, and Jane constantly criticized by John's overbearing mother (Lucile Watson), who lives with the couple. Stewart's character goes through a crisis of self-worth as he deems himself a failure and questions whether he has been good for Jane, and the story takes a sudden melodramatic turn when their infant becomes critically ill and their only hope is a serum being flown across the country in the midst of a blizzard. Directed by drama specialist John Cromwell and produced by David O. Selznik, this is not what you would expect from easygoing everyman Stewart and screwball heroine Lombard, but their charm and chemistry help anchor the awkward mix of light drama and heavy-handed twists. But while the star power may interest film buffs, the drama suffers from tonal inconsistency and a happy ending that feels contrived. Extras include audio commentary by film historian Lee Gambin. A strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker)
Made for Each Other
Kino Lorber, 93 min., not rated, DVD: $19.99, Blu-ray: $29.99 Volume 34, Issue 2
Made for Each Other
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