Cynicism ages marvellously and Preston Sturges' debut holds up really well. It wasn't one of my favourites with its second tier cast but watching it years later after Trump and fatherhood it moved me more than ever.
The handling is wonderfully confident for a first timer but that's one of the benefits of the studio system - beautiful photography, fast editing, solid players.
The joy though is the script. Its matter of fact acceptance of corruption, use of sex (Donlevy shakes down what is clearly a brothel and is asked "why don't you go up and get your fortune read", when he discusses an arranged marriage he glances at the legs of a woman who asks "what's that got to do with it"), and the way it tackles serious issues: slum lords, child labour. It's also very moving at the end when Donlevy has to give up the women and children he's come to love. The woman does have a heart of gold but I loved her swimming skilfully in the waters and getting Donlevy to marry her without mentioning her children.
Terrific.
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