One Paragraph Movie Review: His Girl Friday

Two hundred and thirty-second film: His Girl Friday, a 1940 newspaper-based screwball romantic comedy starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell that would be three hours longer if everyone spoke at normal speed. In short: a newspaper editor tries to lure his journalist ex-wife away from remarrying by inviting her to write a scoop about a wrongly-convicted murderer. In shorter: this movie is 75% people shouting quickly into phones and 10% jaunty hats. I can see why it’s regarded as significant — big stars, rapid-fire verbal sparring, gritty and comical representation of the absolutely-incredible-in-the-1940s newspaper business. But I can’t, even taking the handsomeness of Grant and the extraordinary nipped-waist, big-lapelled pinstripe lady suits into consideration, find it very interesting. Not bad, not relaxing. Two murderer-harbouring rolltop desks out of five.