MovieChat Forums > Of Human Bondage (1934) Discussion > Great Film (Potential Spoiler)

Great Film (Potential Spoiler)

posted 19 years ago by mtupper1
7 replies | jump to latest

This film had some themes that are just as prevalent now as they were back in the 1930s. People always want what they can't have, and don't want what they do have. Or as they said in the film, "one person always loves and the other is the loved." This drew great similarities between contemporary times and the depression era. I really felt disdain for Mildred; her acting was superb to generate such feelings in a film.
One thing that irritated me though, was how often Philip was manipulated by Mildred , was hurt, yet always took her back.
I also felt they could have developed the relationships between Philip and his love interests more in that the story was based on a novel and the film ran only 90 minutes.
I empathized with the characters and was delighted with the end even though life is seldom resolved in a happy way, especially in relationships gone awry.

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] shotgunnergauge5150 18 years ago

I just got home from work and "Of Human Bondage" just started here at 2Am CST in the Chicagoland area.It`s on Ch.20Wycc one of three local PBS stations.I agree with your comments above.Especially the last line.

"Do not let thorns in your side become nails in your coffin".-Bruce Richard Bundy 10/2006

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] shotgunnergauge5150 18 years ago

Damn Straight !!!

"Do not let thorns in your side become nails in your coffin".-Bruce Richard Bundy 10/2006

[–] theworldastage 16 years ago

mtupper1 - I understand what you're saying here:

"One thing that irritated me though, was how often Philip was manipulated by Mildred , was hurt, yet always took her back."

However, I understand why Philip kept helping her. He probably thought his love would eventually change her, and/or just kept having hope of things becoming different. Generally, it's been said that when you are in love, sometimes your judgment is cloudly and you will do crazy things (remember that old saying, "love is blind").

This is of course another discussion, but who knows if Philip really loved her or just lusted. Maybe he only saw her for what he wanted her to be, and that's why he loved her, and so on.

[–] PoppyTransfusion 10 years ago

One thing that irritated me though, was how often Philip was manipulated by Mildred , was hurt, yet always took her back.

Philip was a romantic and believed his notion that in love one loves more than the other. Mildred was his first love and it was unrequited, which makes the bond more powerful. He was in bondage to sexual desire and romantic notions.

A bird sings and the mountain's silence deepens.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]