My Favorite Wife

"My Favorite Wife" is a 1940 American romantic comedy film directed by Garson Kanin. The movie stars Cary Grant and Irene Dunne in their second and penultimate film together, with Mary Boland and Scotty Beckett playing supporting roles. Based on the play "The Wife's Family" by Harlan Thompson, the movie is about a man whose marriage and life are turned upside down by the return of his presumed deceased wife, and the complexities that arise as a result. The film opens on a shipwreck in the Atlantic, where we see a boatload of passengers on board, including a couple, Nick Arden (Cary Grant) and Ellen Arden (Irene Dunne), on their honeymoon. As the ship hits an iceberg and begins to sink, Nick jumps into the ocean, and a lifeboat is launched with him and several other survivors on board. As the scene shifts to a flashback of the wedding, where they are exchanging their vows, Nick is shown looking particularly happy, and as he does, Ellen is shown being swept overboard, and a cry goes up that she's gone. Cut to several years later, where Nick has returned from the war a hero and is now remarried to a charming and beautiful woman, Ellen's sister, Bianca Arden (Irene Dunne, playing the dual role). Bianca is a lively and vivacious individual with a great sense of humor and an ability to bring people together. Nick has grown to love Bianca, but the reunion with his "deceased" wife has left him unsettled, and he is now in a dilemma about what to do with his new marriage. Meanwhile, Bianca, oblivious to her sister's return, is busy in their home, trying to perfect the domestic side of their relationship. She is frustrated by her husband's apparent coldness towards her and is desperate to win him over. Nick tries to reassure her, but it becomes clear that their union is not quite what it appears. As the story unfolds, the newlywed couple receive word of Ellen's unexpected return, and their entire world is turned on its head. Ellen, unaware of Nick's remarriage, arrives at home, only to find it occupied by Bianca, whom she immediately dislikes. As their initial dislike for each other grows, they are forced to share the same space. Complications ensue as Ellen and Bianca develop an intense dislike for each other, mainly fueled by Ellen's jealousy over Bianca's new status as wife to Nick, whom Ellen has always assumed would remain faithfully married to her. Their rivalry leads to a series of comedic events as they both try to win back their place in Nick's heart. Ellen's determination is fueled by her unyielding conviction that Nick should have stayed faithful and remained married to her alone. The movie takes on a new dimension when it is revealed that Ellen had spent seven years stranded on a deserted island with a man named Stephen Burkett (Randolph Scott). Her prolonged isolation led to a bond being formed between the two, which they struggled to let go of as they eventually managed to escape the island. As tensions rise between the two women in Nick's life, Bianca is forced to consider her own feelings for her husband and whether she truly belongs in the relationship, as her love for Nick was built on a lie. Nick's dilemma intensifies, as his feelings for his wife and second wife become increasingly entangled, and ultimately, the question of whose wife he should be with must be addressed. In a final act of selflessness, Bianca reveals the circumstances of her own life and allows Ellen the opportunity to prove that she is indeed a worthy partner for Nick. Ultimately, as Bianca departs to clear out of their home, it seems that Ellen's determination and sincerity will ultimately win back Nick's love. This classic romantic comedy features beautiful performances from Cary Grant and Irene Dunne and is notable for its witty script, which showcases the comedic skills of its cast. "My Favorite Wife" is an engaging film that skillfully explores themes of love, marriage, and devotion, ultimately providing a satisfying resolution to its central conundrum.