Irene Dunne, I Remember Mama

as MARTA "MAMA" HANSON

What is I Remember Mama really but another footnote in the deep vault of sentimental trite that was 1940's Hollywood? For over 2 hours we are witness to random vignettes of the lives of the Hanson family, rather hastily strung together for no incisive reason at all. And the acting? We've got an ooey gooey and oh-so-sleepy performance from Barbara Bel Geddes, Oscar Homolka in one of the most criminally overracted performances of the decade, and Ms. Irene Dunne, scooping up what would be the last nomination of her career.

Dunne is, point blank, I Remember Mama's saving grace. She grounds the oft-times raging ridiculousness of the film and turns Mama into a relatable being and character. Equipped with a rather convincing Norwegian accent,  I may not be able to wrap my head around why Mama freaks the hell out over not being able to visit her daughter in the hospital over a mere 24 hours, but it's Dunne's acting (and it's clear that she does her absolute best) in making the film's crooked reasonings nearly understandable. Under George Stevens' direction, Dunne crafts a wholesome and touching performance--Stevens' lens, frequently zooming into the faces of the film's characters, provide a nice avenue for Dunne to swiftly impact viewers. You can see the emotion beautifully internalized by Dunne, who plays the reactive Mama with quiet grace. Some of her best moments in the film are her silent ones, where the camera focuses on her as she sorts out her thoughts (that final shot of Dunne is fantastic). What I found most interesting here is the seasoned maturity of a veteran incorporated into Dunne's acting here, which stands out from her nominated performances of her 1930s heyday. While I'm not sure it packs a strong enough punch for me to grade it higher than what I did below (though I did think about it), Dunne's contribution to I Remember Mama is highly watchable, warm, and expertly done. A finishing embellishment across a nice Oscar run.