Merrily We Go to Hell (1932)

Introduction and Plot
"Merrily We Go to Hell" is a 1932 American pre-Code comedy-drama film directed by Dorothy Arzner. The film stars Fredric March and Sylvia Sidney, who represent star-crossed enthusiasts in a negative depiction of marriage and extramarital relations. The title alludes to the actor's inebriated toast, meaning the societal decadence and negligent abandon of the elite, a widespread style in the movie.

Characters and Storyline
Fredric March stars as Jerry Corbett, a Chicago newspaperman turned playwright, while Sylvia Sidney plays Joan Prentice, a rich socialite. They meet at a party and fall in love against the will of Joan's disapproving dad. Jerry's alcohol addiction coupled with his remaining affection for his ex-lover, the stage starlet Claire Hampstead (Adrianne Allen), complicate their affair. Regardless of his faults, Joan weds Jerry, hoping she can alter his stubborn way of life.

Depiction of Marriage and Infidelity
Whirlwind romance paves the way to severe reality as Jerry's extreme drinking and infidelity come forward, shattering Joan's imagine marital happiness. Irreverence towards marital relationship is palpable when Jerry recommends they have a "contemporary marriage", an unclear term for an open relationship. Distraught however resigned to her fate, Joan tries to follow the new rules of their 'modern-day' arrangement, looking for solace in other men while preserving her marital relationship.

Climax and Resolution
Eventually, Jerry's play-- starring his previous love, Claire-- hits Broadway, intensifying his drinking issue and carefree lifestyle. On the other hand, Joan captivates a flirtation with an interested party-goer, Charlie Baxter. The strain ultimately overwhelms their relationship when Joan suffers a miscarriage while Jerry is out partying.

The death of their coming kid functions as a sobering truth check, requiring Jerry to confront his self-destructive habits. Stricken with guilt and remorse, he finally accepts his responsibilities. The movie concludes on an enthusiastic note as Joan reclaims Jerry, who promises to turn over a brand-new leaf.

Bypassing Themes
"Merrily We Go to Hell" addresses unconventional problems for its time, such as equal rights in a relationship, the consequences of alcohol addiction, and casual views on fidelity. It remarkably critiques the promises of marital relationship in a society that does not have the real will to honor them. It uses a sharp expert's view on marital disillusionment and checks out the ethical decay of society, with its characters stuck in a self-destructive loop of hedonism. The film also underscores the emerging modern views in the early 1930s about love, marriage, and the concept of an open relationship.

Last ideas
The film is imbued with Dorothy Arzner's unique instructions design, the bleak humor enhancing the narrative's tragic elements. Completion of the movie leaves space for interpretation. Although Jerry attempts satisfaction, it is uncertain whether he and Joan will totally recuperate their relationship. "Merrily We Go to Hell", with its daring title and material, stands as a poignant and complicated expedition of marital relationship and individual modification.

Top Cast