AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

Nonureva Really Surprised!

Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Brendon Jones It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Richie-67-485852 First off you get Betty Davis who can deliver films up like a chocolate treat. Then the story is one to ponder and takes its place in the genre as part of lifes big picture and our personal journeys along the way. Two people meet and instead of selfish pursuits of which some takes place, they discover the true purpose of the meet to begin with but only after they have lived through it all. This concept can apply to all of our wanderings and gives us a reason to pause and ponder while pursuing things and going from point A to point B. Nicely done talkative film and acted out to perfection this leaves you with afterglow for watching it. For those that like to eat while watching (I do), nice scene with bacon and pancakes with hot maple syrup and delicious coffee. Have yours ready and join in or choose your own delight and go for it. Listen to the dialog, watch the scenes and receive this...

sdave7596 "Winter Meeting" was released in 1948 -- the waning years of Bette Davis Warner Brothers career. Davis plays Susan, a wealthy, cosmopolitan New Yorker. She has never married, choosing to focus on a life of having a career and mixing with like-minded friends, such as Stacy (John Hoyt). She meets a military guy whom she calls Novak (Jim Davis), a man fresh from WWII and a war hero. For whatever reason, he woos her and the two begin an odd relationship. After all, she is New York City all the way, he is an awkward, small-town guy. The two escape to the country, where both are forced to confront their own demons. Davis' demons have to do with her parents; her mother abandoned her father, causing his later suicide. Novak's are he always wanted to be a priest! Yikes -- this after leading Susan on throughout the entire movie. This movie, although unfairly maligned, has lots of problems. The biggest problem is the choice of Jim Davis to play Novak, the war hero. He seems out of place and acts it too. Being fair, his part is also terribly written, so I don't know what actor could have pulled this off with any credibility. Bette Davis fares better -- she never steps out of her character as Susan, a woman who has shut herself off from even the possibility of love until she meets this man. This part shows why Bette Davis was a real star; the script wasn't great, and it shows, but she shines regardless. There are two good supporting performances -- John Hoyt as Davis' friend, a man who clearly enjoys the good life, is terrific and adds some life to a film that drags a bit at times. We assume he is gay, although obviously this wouldn't be uttered in a 1948 film. A young Janis Paige plays a somewhat loose and bitchy woman, upset that the spinster Susan snared the war hero for herself. She seems to steal every scene she is in. Sadly, this film flopped when it opened. By this time, audience tastes had changed, and Bette Davis wasn't given better scripts as she aged at the studio. She would leave Warner Brothers the following year. But what a legacy of films she left behind.

edwagreen In viewing the film, I first thought that Bette Davis was too old to play the part. As the film went on, I realized that Davis was needed to provide the necessary maturity for the part.In some respects, Bette, as Susan Grieve, reminded me of her portrayal of Charlotte Vale, 6 years before, in "Now, Voyager." Again, she plays a spinster at odds with her mother, who is about to embark upon a life without happiness. While she has her poetry in this film, she is consumed with the suicide death of her father and a mother who betrayed him.Along comes a war hero Slick Novak who is anything but slick. Everyone must have thought that as their love blossomed, he would confess to having a wife. This wasn't the case. I can imagine the amazement of the audience when he confessed that he had entertained thoughts since age 16 of becoming a priest.The picture ends on a high note as Davis does the right thing. She is not a cunning ingénue as was the case in so many of our films.The picture definitely picks up after both Slick and Susan confess their inner problems.

marcusmsilver Just as for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, so in every court trial two parties come into judgment: the defendant and the jury. Having read the denigrating comments of those who reviewed this movie, I declare that they are the worst film jury I've ever encountered. Because Bette Davis is one of Americas greatest actresses, she chose to realize only great scripts from great writers. WINTER MEETING is a great film! It definitely is not for shallow adrenaline brats who crave titillation. This film is for sincere, mature people who wonder deep things about the purpose of life, the nature of God and man. I sat on the edge of my seat all through this film, astonished and inspired that way back in l948 Bette and her team were facing the very same questions that have haunted me all my life. Exactly what is the point of this movie that makes it so worth while? Through frustrated romance and fiery introspection, we see that even in the midst of our worst self-doubt and despair, each of us is filling a vital part in the creation of a magnificent human race. All bring priceless pieces of life's puzzle that others desperately need, even if we ourselves don't know the value of our contribution. Deeply encouraging, even redeeming!