With his dream of operating a fleet of fishing boats not working out as he had hoped, family man Harry Morgan (Garfield) is having trouble making ends meet. Instead of a fleet of boats, the former Navy man owns only one boat, which he charters for fishing excursions; with only one craft, and a wife and two young daughters to support, Harry is heavily weighed down with financial burdens. Although his wife, Lucy (Phyllis Thaxter), suggests that Harry take an agricultural job at her father's ranch, he refuses to do so and is more determined than ever to make a go of things on the sea.
Telling Lucy everything will work out, Harry sets out on an excursion to Mexico with a man named Hannigan and his mistress, Leona Charles (Patricia Neal).
Upon reaching their destination, Harry asks for his payment; although Hannigan promises to pay as soon as the banks open in the morning, he, in fact, skips out on both Harry and Leona. Left high and dry in Mexico, and needing cash for the return trip, Harry---an honest man, with an honest boat---accepts an illegal job...that of smuggling eight Chinese passengers into the States. Things don't go as planned, though, and Harry is double-crossed, which leads to a killing and the disembarking of the passengers.
With the Coast Guard alerted to the illegal activity, when Harry returns home, his boat is impounded, then later repossessed for lack of payment. But the loss of his boat and the ongoing financial struggles aren't Harry's only problems---Leona, who has stayed on in Newport, has begun putting the moves on him, and Lucy, knowing a woman was part of the Mexican excursion, is jealous. Additionally, the shady attorney (Wallace Ford) who arranged the transportation of the illegals is pressuring Harry into taking another job--one he just might take after his pride is hurt when Lucy takes on work to support the family. How it all plays out is the balance of the film.
As always, Mr. Garfield gives a superb performance. Really, he was completely perfect and totally wonderful in this role...I also really enjoyed the opportunity of seeing a playfully romantic side of him as his character interacted with his wife
and a paternal side as he interacted with his daughters.
While I adore Mr. Garfield in his chip-on-the-shoulder, cynical man roles and think he played them all brilliantly, every now and then it's nice to see a bit of a softer side. Adding to the slightly more vulnerable side of his character was how incredibly handsome he was at this point in his career. He aged extremely well, and I think he is even better looking here at 37 than he was when he began his film career at 25. The ever-so-slight lines in his face give him a gorgeous maturity,
and the captain's cap he wore for much of the film only added to his appeal.
I will watch this film over and over again simply for the eye candy I found him to be!!
The supporting cast of the film was really wonderful as well. Phyllis Thaxter gave an excellent performance as Harry's wife, and the chemistry between her and Garfield was great. Patricia Neal (who I absolutely do not like) played her part perfectly as well. Though I don't care for her, she was really very much a supporting player, so I only had to take her in small doses. Plus, I was thrilled to pieces that Garfield's character didn't succumb to an extra-marital affair with her!! Juano Hernandez, who portrayed Harry's friend and first mate, was quite good in his role as well. And, oh, that final scene, which features Hernandez's character's son is a heartbreaker!
To be honest, I must say that I put off watching this movie because I knew it was based on To Have and Have Not and I really don't care for the Bogart/Bacall film of the same name. (Dare I say that?) For me, it's a 2-star film, so I wasn't sure I wanted to try this one; however, in the interest of finding some new-to-me Garfield films in honor of his birthday, I decided to "bite the bullet" and watch this one. I am so glad I did, because I totally love it!! In fact, with my viewing of this movie, Dust Be My Destiny has lost its status as my favorite Garfield film; though I still love that sweet film (which I reviewed HERE), I love The Breaking Point even more. Incidentally, the Hemingway novel also inspired a 1958 remake as well. Starring Audie Murphy in the lead role, the film is called The Gun Runners. Since I quite like Mr. Murphy, I intend to watch that one at some point in the future.
This film is out on DVD, so I hope you are able to track it down. Definitely, if you are a John Garfield admirer (as I am), you will want to see this. Also, if you are a Hemingway fan, since this adaption was the truest to his story, you may want to take a look at this. Or if you love the Bogey and Bacall version, you might want to check this one out to see how it compares.
Happy viewing!!
I actually like the Bogart and Bacall version, mainly for the chemistry between Humphrey and Lauren. I wouldn't argue with you rating it at 2 stars though!
ReplyDeleteI'm quite intrigued by The Breaking Point because I wasn't even aware of its existence until I read your review Patti.
I'm sure it'll be interesting to compare the two!
Paul, I think I'm a fairly intelligent person. For close to a decade, I had a successful career as an assistant to a bank executive, then I homeschooled my kids all the way through high school. So, I think I am far from an idiot...BUT "To Have and Have Not" completely confused me!! And any movie that confuses me rarely rates above 2 stars. I do think the chemistry between Bogey and Bacall was incredible (and something I understood), but the film itself just went over my head.
DeleteHere's what a TCM article had to say about "The Breaking Point": "According to biographer Larry Swindell in Body and Soul: The Story of John Garfield, the original Hemingway title couldn't be used "because a few years earlier Warners had used the title, but almost none of the story, for the famous Bogart vehicle that introduced Lauren Bacall. ('If you want anything, just whistle')." Yet, The Breaking Point is a much more faithful adaptation of the Hemingway novel than the Howard Hawks interpretation with Bogart and Bacall.
Had to re-type this comment due to an error (typed "3" instead of "2")...wish there was a way to edit!!
i was holding my breath until i got to your statement about patricia neal...and then i left out a huge sigh and thought...girlfriend you and i think alike on so many of these movies...i am NOT a fan of pn...but i agree with you on the EYE CANDY :D
ReplyDeleteBEAR HUGS xxx ~victoria~
Funny, I never liked Patricia Neal way back when she was "The Waltons" mother in the TV movie or when she was a guest star for a few episodes on "Little House on the Prairie." Then, when I got into classic films and discovered that she had made movies, my feelings were still the same.
DeleteInteresting, this film was made in 1950, and it was at that time of her life that she was having an affair with Gary Cooper. In fact, due to their affair, Coop left his wife and daughter for a time. I looked at Miss Neal in this film, and I thought, "Really, Coop? You left the beautiful Rocky for her?"
But Garfield more than made up for Neal...and since he was faithful to his wife and didn't succumb to her charms, she doesn't bother me here.
Wow! I love to hear about films that just shoot up to the very top of someone's list. I think what I love the most is that there are still so many movies for us to discover! This one sounds quite good.
ReplyDeleteDeb, this film was on TCM earlier this month, so I DVR'd it. I was SO SURE that I wasn't going to like it that I watched it without recording it onto a disc. Figured I would watch it, then delete it. I didn't even know if I would make it all the way through before turning off in boredom. Well, you know the story. I loved it! I watched it again the next day so I could record it onto a disc! Ah, to think that I almost skipped out on it because of my feelings for the Bogey/Bacall film!!
DeleteHi Patti, I have always liked John Garfield too and this movie sounds fabulous. I also liked Patricia O'Neil when she was opposite Paul Newman in that western~~ You know the one, I can't think of the movie title at the moment. Thank you for sharing your review. I must see this soon.Your writing is always the best.
ReplyDeleteThank you for entering my giveaway. Good Luck.
Love to you, Celestina Marie
Happy Spring! It's almost Florida for you!!!!
Yes, Celeste, it's almost Florida for me...next Tuesday! I can hardly wait!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you appreciate John Garfield. It seems that many people don't much care for him. I think it must be the kinds of characters he portrayed...mostly brooding and hard to like.
I do not know the Newman/Neal movie you are talking about. I don't watch a whole lot of Westerns and even less Paul Newman, so I probably have never seen the film you are referencing.
The Paul Newman/Patricia Neal film was called Hud(1962) and I would highly recommend it!
DeleteIt secured seven Academy Award nominations and Newman is very impressive in an unsympathetic role!
Thanks, Paul, for letting us know the name of the film Celeste was talking about. It's always fun when someone can mention the names of the stars and a brief synopsis and someone else knows exactly what they are talking about.
DeleteIt sounds like it was a wonderful movie. Thanks for the recommendation.
I really have to watch that film.. Thank you so very much for sharing your thoughts about it! (No Patricia Neal fan, huh? ;") )
ReplyDeleteYes, Irene, this is a must-see, especially since you appreciate Mr. Garfield like I do. If you are unable to track it down over there, let me know...I am more than willing to record it for you.
ReplyDeleteAnd, no, not at all a Patricia Neal fan. I DO enjoy "The Hasty Heart," in which she stars with Ronald Reagan and Richard Todd, but other than that, I just don't like her.
Oh.. You're the best! I will let you know about my "track that film down" success.. Thank you anyway!
ReplyDeleteI didn't see much of Patricia Neal yet - or let's say: IF I noticed her I wasn't too fond of her.. ;")