Gutsycurene Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

Aneesa Wardle The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Sienna-Rose Mclaughlin The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Darin One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

GeoPierpont When did Maryland look like Atlanta, GA with the vast array of weeping willows or was it magnolias and mint juleps... maybe the grits are believable but guess a moot point given the interesting proposition underlying the title. I could not believe the diet she had to go on with a doctor from Arizona, salsa pahleeze! I found the basic plot completely believable as almost the same situation occurred to a friend and risked breaking up her marriage. Thankfully all turned out well when she called her bluff. Given the time frame the plot made all the sense in the world except perhaps suddenly wanting to destroy a family for pure revenge. I loved the verbal as well physical sparring of the two women with the softer side of Davis. I did not find the piano playing convincing at all when the camera always showed the combo of her face with hands pretty much in shadow or conveniently cut off from view. I mean really, it was a few slow chords. If she was even fairly competent she could play that intro. They did overplay that song and found it annoying. And that George by gosh did he ever come alive and looked manly and confident, surprisingly refreshing! I found the script compelling and intriguing with many delightful twists. High recommend for yet another Davis squabble and Brent generating romance.

amplexuslotus Spoiler Alert (just a little):I'm glad to read so many positive comments about this film. I watched it for the first time April 2013 on TCM and was really surprised by all the fine qualities (and fun) "The Great Lie" offered. Especially since I'd never heard of this film before and have been a classic film fan since my childhood.While pleased to read so many positive reviews, I find making apologies for this and that in the story unnecessary. Life is stranger than fiction. I truly do not know what is so "unbelievable" about this story? It's an unusual story but "unbelievable" - absolutely not. Less likely today with DNA and paternity tests, media coverage, internet etc....but wealthy (especially famous) women sometimes disappeared and then reappeared with their "adopted" baby, or claimed the child was their "niece" or "nephew". Many of these women were actresses.I've also read several biographies of famous people who married a second or third time without knowing their divorce had in fact NOT been finalized. I've read other biographies of famous people who led secret lives, or had two families, or had a secret love child - human drama is messy beautiful and nuanced. Although most classic movies are in black and white, they understood that life is NOT black and white.Classic film writers and audiences understood this: If it can be imagined - it's absolutely possible. We've lost our imaginations to "facts" and so called "reality." How utterly sad.Although never a fan of George Brent, he's very good in this film. I know he and Davis had an intimate relationship but not sure if it was during the time this film was made. Either way, Davis & Brent have nice chemistry. Their love is believable.This is not a typical role for Davis - she plays it perfectly though - a little restrained and subdued. Bette Davis and Mary Astor reworked much of the script and according to what's been written about the making of "The Great Lie", director Edmund Goulding, was supportive of his actors changing the script, which is kind of amazing. It may also explain why Davis and Astor have great chemistry on screen together as well. They both understand their characters loves, fears and desires and that of each other.Grant Mitchell is terrific (as always) in a small part as the anxious worried manager of Astor's, diva Sandra. Lucille Watson (and actor I've always admired and enjoyed) also in a small role which she plays perfectly as Maggie's (Davis) aunt. But it's Hattie McDaniel who makes the very most of the small role as Maggie's maid, Violet. There's a very moving scene when Pete (Brent) flies down to Baltimore (Maggie's home) and Violet and Maggie have been reading about his marriage to famous concert pianist, Sandra Kovak(Astor). Violet is so loving and protective of Maggie (Davis) as she tells off Pete (Brent) for being thoughtless and uncaring - it's really a powerful scene.There's also a musical number which seems strange to more "modern" audiences but the music and singing is beautiful. In the past, people did entertain themselves by playing music, dancing and singing. Although I realize the African American roles in this movie (in any Warner film, in any classic American movie and let's not kid ourselves, in most current U.S. movies) are one-dimensional stereotypes but if you look past this, the talent of Hattie McDaniel and her brother Sam (playing Maggie's butler, Jefferson) shines through anyway.I find the story intriguing in that there are several strong female characters. The dynamic between Maggie, Sandra and Pete is an unusual twist on the typical love triangle. The dialogue throughout is funny bittersweet and occasionally bitchy and a bit over the top (mostly Astor's diva Sandra) but there are characters like this and in real life! Yes, there truly are we've simply become dull and after years of being subjected to mostly mediocre movies forgot what real makes art real and what makes both life and art interesting and real: heart soul passion sincerity and damn good writing and acting.Mary Astor (Sandra) plays a despicable talented narcissistic manipulative character with the bitchiness and ruthlessness of, many would say, a man. I haven't figured out why it's enjoyable to watch her character's personality unfold in this drama because she never redeems herself.Astor's Sandra remains true to her narcissistic self to the very end but somehow it works. Astor won best supporting actress for this role and it's easy to see why. For those who only know Astor from The Maltese Falcon, you will be surprised by what a sublime actor she was and still is all these decades later.

vincentlynch-moonoi When the film begins, you might assume it was a comedy. But before long you realize that it is a very serious drama. Some say melodrama, although I would not agree. Yes, it's a rather unique situation, but when you consider that this was war-time, well stranger things have happened.What is there about the Bette Davis - George Brent pairing? While she was something special in many movies, he was only something special when he starred with her. Oh, he was a good actor and very enjoyable, but somehow Bette Davis brought out the very best in George Brent.Although not one of my favorites, every now and then Mary Astor turned in magnificent performances, and this certainly was one of them (and, rightfully so she earned an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress). The other character actors and actresses contribute to making this a very enjoyable film. In particular, Hattie McDaniels, magnificent as always.But what always stands out for me regarding this film are the scenes supposedly in Arizona. I wasn't sure at first which state in the desert it was supposed to be in, but somehow it always reminded me of the Petrified Forest. But it's the interaction of Davis and Astor while Astor is waiting to deliver the baby that are just scintillating. And, of course, it's great fun watching Bette slap Astor, although this role is somewhat different for Davis...or at least one of the roles where she plays a truly nice and gentle person.Highly recommended...Davis at her best...Astor at her best...Brent at his best.

st-shot In the middle of her prime Bette Davis switches gears and Mary Astor races past her in this implausible melodrama that has aged badly-not that there wasn't plenty to complain about it upon release.Pete Van Allen (George Brent) wakes to find he has married piano virtuoso Sandra Kovak. It's clear that since both are career people accommodating each other might be a challenge and Van Allen manages to have the marriage annulled clearing the way for him to marry the more domesticated less shrill Maggie Patterson (Davis). When Van Allen's plane crashes in a South American jungle and Kovak turns up pregnant Maggie demure but resourceful concocts an elaborate scheme to make the baby appear to be her own. Van Allen is eventually rescued and returns home to find out the truth or be deceived by the great lie.You have to jump through a lot of hoops to accept the premise of The Great Lie but Davis and Astor have some terrific scenes together with Davis shockingly less hysterical and the cooler head of the two which allows Astor to walk away with the picture as she brings a bravura haughty elegance to her role. Director Edmond Goulding's camera movement is gracefully impressive in more than one scene and he uses it to great affect when diva Astor sweeps into a room but the story itself remains too far fetched and dragged out to hold together for the duration.