The Awful Truth
The Awful Truth Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 16, 2026
Movie Overview: The Awful Truth
| Movie | The Awful Truth |
| Release Year | 1937 |
| Director | Leo McCarey |
| Genre | Comedy / Romance |
| Runtime | 91 minutes (1h 31m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Awful Truth (1937) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Awful Truth are led by Irene Dunne . The supporting cast, including Cary Grant and Ralph Bellamy , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Awful Truth stands out as a strong entry in the Comedy genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Comedy narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Awful Truth has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Comedy fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Awful Truth
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1937, The Awful Truth is a Comedy, Romance film directed by Leo McCarey, written by Viña Delmar. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Irene Dunne as Lucy Warriner.
Ending Explained: The Awful Truth
The Awful Truth Ending Explained: Unfounded suspicions lead a married couple to begin divorce proceedings, whereupon they start undermining each other's attempts to find new romance. Directed by Leo McCarey, this 1937 comedy film stars Irene Dunne (Lucy Warriner), alongside Cary Grant as Jerry Warriner, Ralph Bellamy as Dan Leeson, Alexander D'Arcy as Armand Duvalle. Rated 7.2/10 by audiences, the conclusion brings the story to a satisfying close.
What Happens at the End of The Awful Truth?
Unfounded suspicions lead a married couple to begin divorce proceedings, whereupon they start undermining each other's attempts to find new romance.
How Does Irene Dunne (Lucy Warriner)'s Story End?
- Irene Dunne: Irene Dunne's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Leo McCarey delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 31m runtime.
- Cary Grant (Jerry Warriner): Cary Grant's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Ralph Bellamy (Dan Leeson): Ralph Bellamy's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Awful Truth Mean?
The ending of The Awful Truth ties together the narrative threads involving Irene Dunne. Leo McCarey chooses a conclusion that prioritizes thematic consistency over surprise, resulting in an ending that rewards viewers who engaged with the story's central themes.
The Awful Truth Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Awful Truth Based on a True Story?
No, The Awful Truth is a work of fiction. While the comedy, romance film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Irene Dunne may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch The Awful Truth?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Irene Dunne or the director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Awful Truth
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $600.0K |
| Worldwide Gross | $3.0M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Awful Truth Budget
The estimated production budget for The Awful Truth is $600.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Where to Watch The Awful Truth Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV Store
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV StoreThe Awful Truth Parents Guide & Age Rating
1937 AdvisoryWondering about The Awful Truth age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Awful Truth (1937) is 91 minutes (1h 31m). Directed by Leo McCarey, the film runs for 91 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.2/10, and global performance metrics, The Awful Truth is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1937 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Awful Truth worth watching?
The Awful Truth is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 7.2/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Awful Truth parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Awful Truth identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Awful Truth (1937)?
The runtime of The Awful Truth (1937) is 91 minutes (approximately 1h 31m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
