Is All This, and Heaven Too Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1940)

📖 The Core Premise

All This, and Heaven Too returns to the screen in 1940, bringing a fresh narrative to the Drama, Romance genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "When lovely and virtuous governess Henriette Deluzy comes to educate the children of the debonair Duc de Praslin, a royal subject to King Louis-Philippe and the husband of the volatile and obsessive Duchesse de Praslin, she instantly incurs the wrath of her mistress, who is insanely jealous of anyone who comes near her estranged husband. Though she saves the duchess's little son from a near-death illness and warms herself to all the children, she is nevertheless dismissed by the vengeful duchess. Meanwhile, the attraction between the duke and Henriette continues to grow, eventually leading to tragedy."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Bette Davis shines in a role that demands both nuance and gravitas, elevating the material significantly. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is All This, and Heaven Too worth your time? If you appreciate Drama, Romance films that take risks, this is likely a must-watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, All This, and Heaven Too is a solid addition to the genre. With a runtime of 141 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Definitely Watch.