So, this plot isn’t just a Hallmark special? Holiday Affair (1949) is a film that fits into the Christmas film tradition of a young woman who is engaged, falling in love with another man and ending up with him. A tale as old as time, or so many of these Christmas would have you believe. This is a storyline that is criticised a lot in modern times, however in this case there is enough nuance and top actors to make it actually work. Oh, and it doesn’t involve the main character leaving her corporate job to go live in a small town and become a housewife so that’s a bonus.
What is this nuance you ask? Well, the film doesn’t make the fiancé, Carl Davis (Wendell Corey), a perfect man like so many of these other films do. He is also not an out and out villain, but he has his flaws that make Connie’s (Janet Leigh) decision to go for Steve Mason (Robert Mitchum) more believable. He even comes to the conclusion that she would be better with him. This is also baked into the narrative, and it is made clear that Connie, who is widowed, is settling for Carl while not really being in love with him. Away from the narrative, the film has a lot of charm and Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh are very much at the forefront of this. They have great chemistry and they both have the screen presence to keep you invested and engaged in the story as it is going. I don’t know what it is about films and stars of this era, but they all have this aura which instantly pulls me in and this film is no different. And Robert Mitchum doesn’t murder anyone!
Quite the short and sweet review on this one, but outside of the narrative issues I have with it, which are slim, and the great performances there isn’t really too much to get into. It is shot well, has a lot of charm, and has a full focus on Christmas at its centre so I can definitely recommend it to put on for a cosy night in.
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