Is Smart Girl Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1935)

📖 The Core Premise

Smart Girl returns to the screen in 1935, bringing a fresh narrative to the Drama 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. "Socialite Pat Reynolds (Ida Lupino) is forced to become the "smart girl" of the title when her wealthy father commits suicide, leaving nothing but a pile of debts. Pat sets up a successful hat-designing business, providing the sole support for herself and her sister Kay (Gail Patrick). So devoted is Pat to Kay's welfare that she stands by in stoic silence as Kay begins romancing Pat's sweetie Nick Graham (Kent Taylor)."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In Smart Girl, Ida Lupino delivers a serviceable performance that keeps the narrative moving. 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 Smart Girl worth your time? If you appreciate Drama films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Smart Girl is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 69 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.