Of Human Bondage (1946 Film) - Critical Reception

Critical Reception

In his review in the New York Times, Bosley Crowther described the remake as "a pale and pedestrian repeat . . . so manufactured and dramatically inert that even those who did not see the original will likely find it disappointingly dull . . . the role of Philip Carey is performed by Paul Henreid in a highly self-conscious and completely unconvincing style . . . a girl named Eleanor Parker wiggles and whines so elaborately in the role of the licentious waitress that her manner seems almost in jest . . . Edmund Goulding, the director, must share a part of the blame for the stuffed and mechanical performance of these two characters . . . although the screen-writer, Catherine Turney, didn't help matters any here . . . Of Human Bondage, in this version, is pretty much of a thorough-going bore."

Variety said the film "has been given excellent period mounting to fit early London background, is well-played and directed in individual sequences, but lacks overall smoothness . . . Edmund Goulding's direction gets good work out of the cast generally and helps interest although most of major characters carry little sympathy."

TV Guide says, "Henreid and Parker do admirable jobs, though they certainly don't match Leslie Howard or Bette Davis . . . Though by no means a great picture . . . is certainly an entertaining one.