Watch Edward, My Son

Edward, My Son is a 1949 drama film directed by George Cukor and starring Spencer Tracy, Deborah Kerr, and Ian Hunter. The movie is based on a play by Noel Langley and was adapted for the screen by Donald Ogden Stewart. The story revolves around the complex relationship between Arnold Boult (Spencer Tracy), a ruthless self-made business tycoon, and his son Edward (Ian Hunter), a charming and charismatic young man. Arnold is driven by a relentless ambition to succeed and become even richer, while Edward is more interested in art and music than in the family's industrial empire.

As the movie opens, Arnold is celebrating his latest business triumph, the acquisition of a profitable taxi company. His wife Evelyn (Deborah Kerr) and Edward are also present, but there is tension in the air as Arnold and Edward have a strained relationship. Arnold sees his son as weak and frivolous, while Edward resents his father's authoritarian ways and lack of affection.

When Arnold's latest venture, a so-called 'air revitalizer' machine, fails to take off, he desperately turns to his son for help. Edward, who is now a successful composer, reluctantly agrees to lend his father money to save the company. However, things soon take a turn for the worse, as the air revitalizer proves to be a fraud and the company falls into bankruptcy.

As the family's fortunes decline, Arnold becomes more and more desperate, resorting to illegal and unethical means to keep up appearances. He lies to his wife and son, manipulates his colleagues, and even sets fire to his own factory to collect the insurance money. All the while, Edward tries to distance himself from his father's machinations and focus on his music.

But as Arnold's schemes unravel and he faces ruin and disgrace, he turns to his son once again, this time with a final request that will test their love and loyalty to each other.

Edward, My Son is a powerful and emotional drama that explores themes of family, ambition, and moral decay. Spencer Tracy gives a masterful performance as Arnold Boult, a man consumed by his own greed and ego, yet still capable of love and remorse. Deborah Kerr is equally compelling as Evelyn, Arnold's long-suffering wife who must confront the truth about her husband's crimes. And Ian Hunter gives a nuanced portrayal of Edward, torn between loyalty to his family and a desire to be true to himself.

The movie is also notable for its incisive critique of capitalism and the corrupting influence of wealth and power. Arnold Boult represents the worst excesses of the business class, willing to do anything to maintain his status and fortune. But in the end, his greed and deceit lead to his downfall, and the movie serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition.

Overall, Edward, My Son is a classic drama that still resonates today, with its themes of family conflict, moral ambiguity, and the corrupting influence of money. The performances by Tracy, Kerr, and Hunter are superb, and the direction by Cukor is masterful. This is a must-see movie for fans of classic Hollywood drama.

Edward, My Son is a 1949 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.