LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN

REVIEWED BY CARISSA HORTON

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Because of: thematic elements

Rated:

I suppose most people arrive at a place in their lives when marriage seems to be the logical next step. Classically handsome book author Richard Harland (Cornel Wilde) finds his thoughts turning toward that blessed union. Especially upon his accidental meeting of lovely Ellen Berent (Gene Tierney) who happens to be traveling on the same train and to the same destination. The young lady appears charming, though her constant references to his looking nearly identical to her recently deceased father are somewhat puzzling. Her rapt attentions paid him are flattering, and before Richard knows what’s happening, he finds himself engaged to a near stranger. Still, in spite of the cautious warnings given him by her family, she seems kind and loving. Rush arrangements are made and within days Richard Harland possesses a wife.

The honeymoon is dramatically shortened due to Richard’s desire for visiting his crippled younger brother Danny (Darryl Hickman). Ellen appears to adore the boy and who wouldn’t with his innocent nature and delightfully shining eyes. However, it seems she only likes Danny knowing his home is distant from her own. Richard’s suggestion of bringing Danny to live at his lake cottage aptly named “Back of the Moon,” causes instant concern in his new bride. Much to Ellen’s dismay, her subtle attempts at trickery fail and Danny now resides with the newlyweds. Making the best of her situation, Ellen becomes possessive of her husband, refusing to allow anyone else the run of her house. Everything done for Richard must be done by her own hands. Naturally, this only alienates the few household hands.

The situation only worsens when Ellen’s cousin Ruth (Jeanne Crain) and mother (Mary Philips) pay them a surprise visit. Unable to contain her fury at having Richard’s attentions turned elsewhere, Ellen treats the visitors abominably and within a few days they decide to cut their visit short. Richard cannot comprehend his wife’s behavior, but it is beginning to concern him greatly since her conduct is extending toward young Danny. The uninvited guests take their leave, and she seems to be settling comfortably back into her routine when the unthinkable occurs. While under Ellen’s care, Danny drowns in a horrific swimming accident. In mourning for his beloved brother, Richard, fearing some other dreadful event, moves himself and Ellen away from “Back of the Moon.” His choice could not have been worse, for he accepts an invitation to reside with Ellen’s family. Her moods worsen daily, and Richard begins to suspect something is horribly wrong. Whenever she and Richard are alone together she seems content, but if he spends the smallest amount of time with others she erupts in fury or sulks into a deep depression. Could it be possible that Danny’s drowning was not the accident she had claimed?

Most of the actions in this film stem from a psychological viewpoint. Ellen’s love for Richard is a obsessive, all-consuming, selfish passion, and the consequences are severe. She accuses people of trying to turn Richard against her, when in truth Ellen’s behavior is the reason for his suspicions. People are either injured or killed due to her actions. An unnerving scene of drowning occurs, though it isn’t graphic. Ellen plots murder at the drop of a pin. In truth, she didn’t love Richard but merely wished to possess him; heart, body, and soul. That genre of love utterly destroys anything it touches, and Richard himself nearly becomes a casualty. On a better note, Richard never betrayed Ellen by indulging in adultery as she had accused. He was faithful until the bitter end even though his heart could no longer belong to such a conniving creature as his wife. Truly, I found the entire tale to be one of sadness and anguish. So much pain, caused by one woman and her desperate need to control those she loved.

The acting is superb, with exquisite performances from Gene Tierney and Cornell Wilde. Even Vincent Price makes a brief appearance in the role of a jilted lover. Darryl Hickman plays the adorably sweet Danny, and I was extremely impressed with his abilities. The scenery and backgrounds are deliciously realistic and I found it very easy to drift into the spell of the storyline. The title itself is symbolic to the content, and Shakespeare’s line from Hamlet is well-received. Though not a film to fully praise, I do believe it to be significant. Perhaps, upon watching Leave Her to Heaven you will comprehend the meaning of true love and learn to avoid any and all masquerades of love.