The World of Suzie Wong (1962)
In this adorable, sad, dated, accessible romance, Nancy Kwan and William Holden shine. I don’t usually like William Holden, but I loved his passion and depth of feeling in this movie. I used to say I only liked him in Picnic, but now I can proudly say I like him in two movies! This was Nancy Kwan’s first film, and with no previous acting experience, it’s amazing how she owns the role and commands attention on the screen.
William Holden, a starving artist, meets the prim and proper, beautiful Nancy Kwan while on a ferry boat to Hong Kong. He rents a room in a seedy hotel that’s a favorite of prostitutes and sailors because it’s all he can afford. Imagine his surprise when he recognizes one of the working girls in the downstairs lounge as Nancy Kwan! Nancy is adorably contradictory, and their on-again, off-again romance is beautiful and tender. Parts of the movie wouldn’t be included in a remake—Nancy repeated asks Bill to beat her up so she can brag to her girlfriends that he gets jealous and possessive—but strangely enough, those parts work. It totally makes sense that Nancy’s character would say those things, since she’s young and stupid, and also since she’s a low-class prostitute. Women who choose that line of work have a different idea of safety than other women.
I love this movie, so I’ll absolutely recommend it if this type of love story appeals to you. Nancy is so adorable, even when she’s given lines that are supposed to drive you crazy, you can’t help but love her. Bill is seasoned and passionate, trying to grasp a slice of happiness as life passes him by. With two wonderful performances and an engaging love story, what else do you need?
DLM warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. There are a couple of scenes where the camera bobs up and down on the water, and it will probably make you sick. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More William Holden movies here!
More Nancy Kwan movies here!
William Holden, a starving artist, meets the prim and proper, beautiful Nancy Kwan while on a ferry boat to Hong Kong. He rents a room in a seedy hotel that’s a favorite of prostitutes and sailors because it’s all he can afford. Imagine his surprise when he recognizes one of the working girls in the downstairs lounge as Nancy Kwan! Nancy is adorably contradictory, and their on-again, off-again romance is beautiful and tender. Parts of the movie wouldn’t be included in a remake—Nancy repeated asks Bill to beat her up so she can brag to her girlfriends that he gets jealous and possessive—but strangely enough, those parts work. It totally makes sense that Nancy’s character would say those things, since she’s young and stupid, and also since she’s a low-class prostitute. Women who choose that line of work have a different idea of safety than other women.
I love this movie, so I’ll absolutely recommend it if this type of love story appeals to you. Nancy is so adorable, even when she’s given lines that are supposed to drive you crazy, you can’t help but love her. Bill is seasoned and passionate, trying to grasp a slice of happiness as life passes him by. With two wonderful performances and an engaging love story, what else do you need?
DLM warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. There are a couple of scenes where the camera bobs up and down on the water, and it will probably make you sick. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More William Holden movies here!
More Nancy Kwan movies here!