Watch None But the Lonely Heart

None But the Lonely Heart is a 1944 drama film directed by Clifford Odets and based on the novel of the same name by Richard Llewellyn. It stars Cary Grant as Ernie Mott, a charismatic but shiftless Londoner who returns home to take care of his ailing mother, played by Ethel Barrymore. Barry Fitzgerald plays a family friend and small-time criminal who tempts Mott with easy money.

The film opens with a shot of Ernie Mott walking along a dreary London street, contemplating his life and lack of prospects. He visits his mother, Ma Mott, at their small, cluttered home in a working-class neighborhood. She is bedridden and clearly in pain, but still tough and fiercely independent. She urges Ernie to get his act together and find a decent job, but he seems resistant to this idea.

Ernie spends his days drinking at a local pub and hanging out with his friend and occasional partner in crime, Henry Skinner (Fitzgerald). Henry is a jovial but shady character who deals in stolen goods and other illicit activities. Ernie often helps him out, but seems to be growing weary of this way of life.

As Ernie spends time with his mother, they reminisce about their past and their hopes for the future. Ma Mott tells Ernie about her younger days, when she was courted by various men but always chose to remain single and take care of her family. She urges Ernie to find someone to settle down with and start a family of his own.

Meanwhile, Henry introduces Ernie to his latest scheme: stealing copper wire from a construction site. Ernie goes along with it, but things quickly spiral out of control when they are caught by the police. Henry is arrested and Ernie narrowly avoids capture. This incident forces Ernie to confront the choices he has made in his life and the consequences that come with them.

Ernie's life takes a turn when he meets a young woman named Ada Brantline (June Duprez) while wandering the streets one night. Ada is a kind-hearted woman who works at a local library and dreams of a better life. She and Ernie strike up a conversation and he is immediately drawn to her. They begin a tentative relationship, but Ernie's criminal past and uncertain future threaten to derail it.

As Ernie becomes more involved with Ada, he also becomes more invested in his mother's well-being. He learns that she is in need of a life-saving operation, but cannot afford it on her own. Ernie decides to take drastic measures to get the money, embarking on a dangerous and illegal scheme that puts his relationship with Ada and his own life at risk.

None But the Lonely Heart is a poignant and powerful film that explores themes of family, love, and the struggle to survive in a harsh world. Cary Grant delivers a remarkable performance as Ernie, displaying a depth and complexity that was rare for him at this point in his career. Ethel Barrymore is equally impressive as Ma Mott, imbuing her tough but loving character with a sense of dignity and grace. Barry Fitzgerald provides comic relief as Henry, but also adds a layer of pathos to the film with his portrayal of a man who knows he is on the wrong path in life.

Overall, None But the Lonely Heart is a must-see for fans of classic cinema and a testament to the talent of its cast and director. It is a film that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll, reminding us of the enduring power of love and the strength of the human spirit in even the darkest of times.

None But the Lonely Heart is a 1944 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.