This is a highly entertaining film that takes a strange turn in the middle.
The first half of the film introduces a wonderful character, played by Loretta Young at her most charming. It slowly builds a romance between her rustic but sensible Farmer's Daughter and the cynical politician Joseph Cotton. It's great stuff, in the grand old Hollywood tradition of comedy/dramas.
Then Loretta's character gets into politics. The transition is implausible, and the pay-off unrealistic even by the standards of 1940s Hollywood. It's still fun, but it's not on the same level of sharp romantic comedy as the first half.
The net result is a film that's still very much worth seeing. Loretta Young is great, and Joseph Cotton shows a real flare for comedy in his lighter-than-usual role. The Farmer's Daughter isn't quite a classic, but it's a solidly entertaining movie, perfect for an idle evening.
The first half of the film introduces a wonderful character, played by Loretta Young at her most charming. It slowly builds a romance between her rustic but sensible Farmer's Daughter and the cynical politician Joseph Cotton. It's great stuff, in the grand old Hollywood tradition of comedy/dramas.
Then Loretta's character gets into politics. The transition is implausible, and the pay-off unrealistic even by the standards of 1940s Hollywood. It's still fun, but it's not on the same level of sharp romantic comedy as the first half.
The net result is a film that's still very much worth seeing. Loretta Young is great, and Joseph Cotton shows a real flare for comedy in his lighter-than-usual role. The Farmer's Daughter isn't quite a classic, but it's a solidly entertaining movie, perfect for an idle evening.