Now, Voyager, based on the novel by Olive Higgins Prouty - 9.3 out of 10

Now, Voyager, based on the novel by Olive Higgins Prouty
9.3 out of 10


This remarkable motion was released in 1942, it is black and white and we find it on The New York Times' Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made list.

It has won an Oscar and was nominated for another two, including one for Bette David.
The superb actress, one of the best ever, to make a comparison with the present, she in the league with Meryl Streep and only a handful of others, has the role of Charlotte Vale.

In the beginning, the protagonist is mockingly called aunt Charlotte.
For at this initial stage, she is a spinster, a woman that is too frightened, depressed, anxious, abused to live.

She has been dominated from birth by her oppressive, control obsessed mother.
Mrs. Henry Vale is very class conscious, a rich woman that belongs to the elite of Boston, who had not wanted this child so late.

Indeed, most of the brothers and sisters of the heroine are much older and she has always felt unwanted and somehow unfit, apart, rejected and alien.
In the first chapter, Charlotte aka Bette Davis is at the point where a breakdown is imminent.

Fortunately, her sister, June Vale, has brought in a desperately needed helper.
The prestigious Claude Rains plays Doctor Jaquith, who has come to the large mansion to see the suffering young woman.

Nevertheless, the rigid, archaic, retrograde, rather sadistic mother disagrees with the notion that a psychiatrist should see a Vale.
In fact, even if asked by June to keep the profession of the visitor secret, so that her sister would not panic knowing that a doctor is there, Mrs. Henry Vale immediately spoils the arrangement by stating that this is a physician.

When the guest asks to see the huge house, with the guidance of the frail, nervous, tense young woman, he has a chance to see the room.
After an apparently easy communication, he notices some aspects that draw his attention and the insightful, terrified Charlotte nearly breaks down.

Eventually, she would have the chance to spend time at the sanatorium where the doctor is in charge, against the reluctance of the mother.
She is so much better that we do not recognize her, without the glasses, the antiquated outfits her mother forced her to wear.

We also learn that she had met a young, handsome officer, while on voyage with her mother.
They became infatuated with each other, saw and 'made love' to one another - this meant kissing in those primeval days.

When the dictatorial parent learned about the intimacy and affection, she stepped in.
No Vale could descend to the level of a commoner.

Hence, better single and suffering than married to an ordinary officer.
This has had a traumatic impact on the once positive, optimistic, flourishing woman.

However, now that what looks like positive psychology therapy, long before it would be discovered, around 2000, had intervened, Charlotte is once again blooming.
Enter the stage Jeremiuah Durrance, called by friends Jerry, played by Paul Henreid, of Casablanca fame, where he was Ingrid Bergman's resistance leading husband.

He thinks she is called Beauchamp or something similar.
They soon fall in love with each other.

A near death experience brings them ever closer.
As they visit Brazil, on shore from the ship where they had met, a more than clumsy driver tries to back the car near a precipice.

They fall into it.
Alhamdullilah, they survive, but it was a close call.

After the elation, enthusiasm, climax of finding love and joy, they have to part.
He is married, albeit it is a sad story.

A psychological similarly is stricking.
He has a daughter that was unwanted, like Charlotte.

For Jerry had to marry and stay with his spouse because of his child.
Will the two lovers find a way to overcome obstacles?

Is the abusive, tyrannical Mrs. Henry Vale able to command over her youngest child again?
Or will the heroine find the strength, determination, grit to fight back and remain Independent?

These are the questions that would be answered if you see this classic, smart, excellent movie.