Indiscreet (1958)

by Tristi Pinkston | More from this Blogger

In "Indiscreet," Anna Kalman (Ingrid Bergman) is an actress who has earned a name for herself on the stage. Her career has kept her from meeting the man of her dreams, and she's nearly given up hope that she'll ever marry. But then she meets a co-worker of her brother-in-law's, and her mind is changed. Phillip Adams (Cary Grant) is everything she has ever dreamed of, and more. He's dashing, handsome, considerate, charming . . . . well, he's Cary Grant. You can see why she'd be swept off her feet. There's just one problem - he's married. But he's separated from his wife, unable to get a divorce.

She decides she doesn't care, and begins a whirlwind romance with him. He brings her thoughtful gifts, he surprises her with outings and visits, and she couldn't be happier. But then the truth is revealed - Phillip is actually not married. He's only told that story so he won't have to get too deeply involved. He has no intention of ever getting married, and he thinks that by saying he's completely unavailable, he's being noble.

When Anna finds out, she is crushed, and then she gets angry. The more angry she becomes, the more devious her plot for revenge. She decides to make Phillip think there's another man. Enlisting the help of her driver, whom she puts in a dressing gown and asks to step out of her bedroom at the right moment, she sets Phillip up. But her plans go awry; when Phillip comes, it's to propose. He tells her that his "wife" has consented to a divorce, and he asks Anna to marry him, seconds before the driver makes his appearance. But then he doesn't know what to think. There's a man in Anna's bedroom and he's reminded of all the reasons why he didn't want to get married in the first place.

They are able to patch things up in the end, the misunderstandings cleared up, and we'll assume they live a happily ever after.

I liked this film and yet I didn't. I found the premise - we'll have an affair with him while he's married but when he's not, he's a bad guy - a little disturbing. What can I say, I'm kind of a monogamy-is-good kind of person. But the acting was superb, especially on Grant's part, and if it weren't for the moral considerations, I would have liked it quite a bit.

This film was not rated.

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Ingrid Bergman: Sweden's Illustrious Gift to Hollywood

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Learn more about Tristi Pinkston

I am a stay-at-home mom, author of eight published books, a freelance editor, and the mother of four incredible children. I enjoy scrapbooking, watching good movies, and taking naps.

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