Leave Her to Heaven

Leave Her to Heaven is a 1945 American melodrama film directed by John M. Stahl, based on a 1943 novel of the same name by Joseph C. Lincoln. The movie stars Gene Tierney, Cornel Wilde, Jeanne Crain, and Vincent Price. It tells the story of Ellen Berent Harland, a beautiful and charismatic socialite who marries Richard Harland, a successful novelist and former naval aviator. The marriage seems idyllic at first, with Ellen being Richard's devoted and doting wife. However, Ellen's possessiveness and obsessive behavior slowly begin to surface. She becomes increasingly jealous of Richard's relationships with other women, particularly his secretary, Coral, whom he has befriended. Ellen's fixation on Richard grows more intense, and she starts to use her considerable charm and beauty to manipulate those around her, including her husband. Ellen's behavior eventually takes a darker turn, as she becomes violent and erratic in her attempts to keep Richard's attention. Her jealousy is driven by a fear of losing him, and she is convinced that he loves her more than anything else in the world. Richard, however, seems oblivious to Ellen's possessiveness, and his calm and rational demeanor only serves to fuel her growing instability. As Ellen's behavior becomes more erratic, Richard starts to grow increasingly concerned for her mental health. He begins to distance himself from her, which only exacerbates her jealousy. In a desperate attempt to keep Richard from leaving her, Ellen's behavior becomes more and more erratic, culminating in a tragic and devastating conclusion that changes the lives of those around her forever. Throughout the movie, the cinematography and production design are noteworthy, with a focus on opulent and luxurious settings that reflect Ellen's wealthy social status. The film also boasts a memorable score, with music by Alfred Newman and Hugo Friedhofer, which adds to the sense of tension and unease that pervades the movie. At the center of Leave Her to Heaven is Gene Tierney's performance as Ellen Berent Harland. Tierney's portrayal of Ellen is both captivating and terrifying, capturing the complexity and nuance of a character who is both beautiful and monstrous. Her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, cementing her status as one of Hollywood's most talented leading ladies of the 1940s. One of the most notable aspects of Leave Her to Heaven is its exploration of themes related to madness, obsession, and the dangers of unchecked emotions. Ellen's jealousy and possessiveness are portrayed as a kind of madness, a descent into chaos and destruction that is both terrifying and heartbreaking to watch. The movie also touches on themes related to the social conventions of the time, particularly the expectation of women to be submissive and devoted to their husbands. Leave Her to Heaven has a distinctive and haunting quality to it, with a narrative that builds towards a tragic conclusion. Despite its melodramatic tendencies, the movie is a deeply affecting and thought-provoking exploration of the darker aspects of the human psyche. It remains one of the greatest film noirs of all time, a classic of Hollywood cinema that continues to captivate audiences to this day.