Saw I Know Where I'm Going! A sweet and kind of pokey film about a headstrong woman who is very self-determined. She is going to marry a wealthy businessman however she is waylaid in Scotland and begins falling for the wrong man. The main thesis of the film is about inner wealth (as personified by the simple honesty of the Scottish fisher-folk) vs riches (as personified by her entirely off-screen fiancé.) The film has a couple of visually interesting elements, especially near the beginning and end of the film, and although it starts out very arch and unreal, it works itself into a lovely melodrama by the end. I enjoyed the film, however it was a bit of a snoozer.
True to the 40s, the film comes off a bit anti-feminist and retrograde to my eyes. The protagonist lady is forced to abandon her carefully laid plans and to humble herself before the unknowable mysteries of love. It's not like she's blameless either however. There's a dream sequence where she fantasizes about all the wealth she will have access to. She seems to be marrying not for love but for money. I feel she should be allowed to be as mercenary as her future love will allow, however it's not like she's making the best choices.
This fantasy also ties in to the theme of money vs decency. Later in the film, she meets up with a snobby rich couple who are (according to her fiance) the only people on the island worth knowing. They are vapid and speak in shrill tones and are unpleasant. They are juxtaposed with a rich woman who reminisces about the honest peasant parties. It's very snobs vs slobs.
The slobs however are not even that slobby. Not to give too much away, but the new boyfriend (ie the wrong man that she falls for in Scotland) has plenty money of his own, he just also happens to be friends with friendly people, and is able to commune with the common man. These signifiers indicate he is a man of worth, but the message of the film is sort of undercut by being not money vs morals, but money vs morals+money. The new boyfriend is just clearly the better choice. The only conflict is within this woman's mind: her self-determination vs jumping on new opportunities.
The film has its moments however. There's a goofy sequence in the start of the film where her train, on a model set, crosses from rolling green hills into rolling tartan hills, signifying her journey into Scotland. Similarly, there's a daring sea crossing late in the film that feels like a spare reel from the Poseidon Adventure or something. It's a sudden sharp turn into disaster-movie territory that I was surprised and delighted by.
The majority of the film however is this woman interacting with variously colorful Irish folks and trying to decide which man to marry. It's a little precious and a little tedious. It's an entertaining and tame film that your grandparents might enjoy. Wholesome and kind with moments of excitement and excess. It was a bit of a snoozer, but not a bad film by any means.
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