21 Days Together

Courtroom melodrama maintains interest thanks to Leigh and Olivier's enjoyable performances (and some quite sophisticated direction from Dean) but the story at its core is a fairly conventional and predictable oft-told morality tale; also doesn't help that a fine supporting cast is never really given a chance to shine in favour of the starring couple.

Great story. Olivier & Leigh made for a classic couple. This one is very British, and an interesting time capsule as well. Note the pre-war positive depiction of Germans.

Lots of incredible talent involved in the making of this film but it never really rises above being a cute sort-of melodrama. There are a few times when you feel like it's teetering on the brink of being something more but it never gets there. Worth a watch but not a must see.

Laurence Olivier's cheekbones are so badass.

This was shot a few years before in 1937, but not released until 1940 once Leigh's stardom had risen as a result of Gone with the Wind (1939). This was the second Laurence Olivier & Vivien Leigh pairing after their other 1937 production Fire Over England (1937). 21 Days (1940) however doesn't quite work for me. Some moments of moral and sweetness shine alright through, but overall I'm neither drawn to the couple, nor their dubious situation.