No doubt about it, Loy commands the screen here, and is worth watching all the way through. Agreed, Ann Harding is stodgy and overdressed for her supposedly Bohemian lifestyle, but she does reflect the earnest sincerity of the Conscious Rebel. The original title "The Woman in His House," suited the story better... Define 'wife', for example. Tom Collier (Leslie Howard) is a man enthralled by a young beauty, and her hold on him is frankly sexual. His previous relationship with artist Daisy (Harding) certainly included sex, but was also built on warm friendship, mutual friends, shared values. They prided themselves on lack of "chains" which later turns into a lack of commitment. Long familiarity had cooled things off enough for Daisy to take an extended trip to Europe. While Daisy was off in Europe working on her art, Tom was at loose ends; his rich father thoroughly disapproved of him because he didn't make enough money. Tom's cozy house full of books looked great to me, but Daddy thought he needed a mansion. Tom had noted there was a depression on, and hired a washed up boxer as a butler so the man wouldn't starve. He appreciates Red Regan (Gargan) for his good humor and warm friendship. Tom loves a beautifully crafted book, and putting them together is his art. As Cecelia (Loy) draws him away from his other sources of joy, he finds pleasure isn't enough to fill the gap left by Daisy's departure, along with all his friends. He's continually pressured to sell his publishing house to the equivalent of Silhouette Romances, and that breaks the spell. The climax - and it does take awhile to get there - is Tom watching Loy display all her wiles while he keeps refilling her champagne glass, and you can see him think about that word "wife." And he's not confused any more. The acting in the last scene between these two is masterly, and well worth the wait.
Review of The Animal Kingdom
