The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)

Director: Orson Welles
Starring: Tim Holt, Dolores Costello, Joseph Cotten, Anne Baxter, Agnes Moorehead, Ray Collins, Orson Welles
Certificate: U
Genre: Drama
Awards: None

The Magnificent Ambersons was Orson Welles' follow up to his astounding Citizen Kane and features the rich family of the Ambersons including Isabel (Costello) and her son George (Holt). One day Isabel's ex lover, Eugene (Cotten) returns to the town and he and the recently widowed Isabel become close again. This does not go well with George who wishes to keep them apart for the good of the Amberson name.

Compared with Citizen Kane, The Magnificent Ambersons cannot compete as the characters feel flatter and the story not as vast and appealing. Yet on its own two legs, the film is still highly enjoyable. The spiralling saga of the family's decline is always interesting to witness. The cinematography is still brilliant with every shot being as beautiful as the last whilst the performances are still very strong.

Perhaps not as vital a watch as its predecessor, The Magnificent Ambersons is still very worthy of being a Welles film (although he had less control on this one).

****Good