Winter Meeting (1948)

Winter Meeting Poster

A repressed poetess and an embittered war hero help each other cope with their problems.

Introduction
"Winter Meeting", released in 1948, is a dramatic love film based on the book of the very same name by Grace Zaring Stone. It was generated by Warner Bros. and also routed by Bretaigne Windust, including significant stars Bette Davis, as well as James Davis. Davis plays a poet, Susan Grieve, who falls for battle expert Slick Novak, depicted by James Davis.

Plot Summary
The film mostly happens in a Philadelphia suburban area where Susan Grieve, a successful poet, lives in her sizable household home. Regardless of her effective career, she is lonesome and also miserable, harboring desire for true love. One evening, she is welcomed by her author to invest an evening with the famous composer, Felix Moray, played by Claude Rains. She tries to bring Felix residence for an exclusive dinner, only to be satisfied by Slick Novak, a just recently discharged seafarer, who claims to have a dinner consultation with Felix. Susan's irritation grows as the sailor disrupts her night, but she hesitantly allows him to stay.

Throughout the evening, Susan as well as Slick engage in deep and also at times, raw discussions as their implied shared tourist attraction intensifies. Initially, Susan doubts Slick's intentions and also cases that she watches him as just another guy that flatters her. Nonetheless, the battle veteran ends up being straightforward and authentic, which intrigues Susan, despite her attempts to maintain their communications simply platonic.

Susan's life starts to transform with Slick's presence. Her stay-at-home brother Stacy Grieve, portrayed by John Hoyt, their growing relationship, specifically when Susan shares her ideas on marrying Slick. Stacy is overprotective and also cautious, and also his objections stem in part from recognizing the ramifications of Susan's potentially drastic choices. Ultimately, Slick makes a decision to summarize their connection by stating a Japanese love poem.

The poem exposes that their newfound love might not last lengthy as Slick admits he is nearing the end of his life. Medical professionals have detected him with an extreme clinical condition as well as informed him that he has much less than a year entrusted to live. Susan reels from the abrupt, saddening news as their connection essentially comes to be short-term.

Dispute as well as Resolution
Concerned about her future with Slick, Susan encounters numerous issues - her diminishing family fortune, honest options, and inevitably, facing her real sensations for the apparently doomed battle professional. She battles to find to terms with the prospect of shedding him as well as evaluates the repercussions of following her heart.

With this turbulent psychological journey, Susan Grieve discovers her real self as well as faces her true desires. She discovers to let go of the glamorized suitables she initially had regarding love and life, discovering a more genuine and also satisfying course. She becomes a lot more independent as well as focused on her occupation while making peace with her destiny with Slick.

The movie finishes with Susan ultimately getting the strength to accept her future without Slick. She approves that their love can not be continual and focuses on her work as well as philanthropy, lastly taking control over her destiny.

Final thought
"Winter Meeting", a poignant story of love, loss, and also self-discovery, supplies fascinating performances, especially by Bette Davis and James Davis. The film delves into hefty emotional subjects without becoming excessively theatrical, recording the intricacies of human emotions in the face of misfortune. While it might not rank among Bette Davis's the majority of iconic efficiencies, "Winter Meeting" stays worthwhile of interest and also gratitude, particularly for followers of timeless Hollywood love dramas.

Top Cast

  • Bette Davis (small)
    Bette Davis
    Susan Grieve
  • Janis Paige (small)
    Janis Paige
    Peggy Markham
  • Jim Davis (small)
    Jim Davis
    Slick Novak
  • John Hoyt (small)
    John Hoyt
    Stacy Grant
  • Florence Bates (small)
    Florence Bates
    Mrs. Castle
  • Walter Baldwin (small)
    Walter Baldwin
    Mr. Castle
  • Ransom M. Sherman (small)
    Ransom M. Sherman
    M. Roderick Moran, Jr.
  • Woody Herman (small)
    Woody Herman
    Leader - Woody Herman and His Orchestra
  • Bess Flowers (small)
    Bess Flowers
    Restaurant Patron
  • Ezelle Poule
    Woman in Cafe