Perfect Strangers

Watch Perfect Strangers

  • NR
  • 1950
  • 1 hr 28 min
  • 6.0  (546)

Perfect Strangers is a 1950 romantic comedy-drama starring Ginger Rogers, Dennis Morgan, and Thelma Ritter. The film revolves around a married couple, Terry and David Blake, who seem to be leading a perfect life until Terry receives a message from her former fiancé, a soldier believed to have died during the war. The fiancé is alive and well and wants to reunite with Terry, leading her to question her choices and her marriage.

The film opens with Terry and David preparing for their third anniversary celebration. The couple is well-matched and genuinely in love. Their home is decorated with pictures of their travels and filled with memories of their happy life together. However, Terry is thrown off balance when a telegram arrives from a former beau named David Sloan, whom she had believed dead. David Sloan was a soldier who was declared missing following a plane crash during the war. But now, he has been found alive in Hawaii and he wants to see Terry.

As Terry struggles to process this news, she confides in her friend and neighbor, Isobel, portrayed brilliantly by Thelma Ritter. Isobel admires the stability of Terry’s life and is cautious when discussing the possibility of a reunion with Sloan. Terry confides in Isobel that she had been hopelessly in love with Sloan before his plane crash, but that she had moved on and married David Blake. Despite the strength of their relationship, Terry wonders if her heart still belongs to David Sloan.

David Sloan arrives in Los Angeles and quickly sets about trying to woo Terry back, ordering a lavish bouquet of flowers and leaving a room full of smiles with his charm and good looks. Though Terry is pulled in two directions, she ultimately remains committed to David Blake. She vows to help Sloan find a place in California, even though he clearly wants more than just her help.

As the story unfolds, David Blake becomes increasingly suspicious of Terry’s relationship with David Sloan. The two men share awkward exchanges, with Blake growing jealous of his wife’s former love. Meanwhile, Terry struggles with her own feelings, trying to remain faithful to her husband while also battling her desire for something more passionate and exciting.

The film is a touching portrayal of the complexities of love and the sacrifices we make to keep our commitments. Ginger Rogers is radiant in her role, capturing the struggles of staying faithful while simultaneously wishing for more. Dennis Morgan embodies the quiet strength of a man willing to fight for his marriage, while also admitting to his own insecurities. Thelma Ritter’s performance is a reminder of her tremendous talent and her ability to bring depth and levity to any role.

The movie is set in a time of great societal changes, with the end of WWII and the dawn of the 1950s ushering in a new era for men and women. The postwar period brought new challenges and opportunities, as well as new expectations around marriage, relationships, and gender roles. Perfect Strangers captures these themes with sensitivity and insight, exploring the struggles of navigating personal desires against the backdrop of cultural expectations.

Overall, Perfect Strangers is a timeless classic that explores the complexities of love and relationships in a charming, funny, and insightful way. With standout performances from its lead actors and a story that captures the zeitgeist of its era, Perfect Strangers is a must-watch for anyone interested in classic Hollywood cinema.

Perfect Strangers is a 1950 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.

Perfect Strangers
Description
Where to Watch Perfect Strangers
Perfect Strangers is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Perfect Strangers for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1950
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 28 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.0  (546)