No Sad Songs for Me

Margaret Sullavan is terrific in her swan song, but the bitter sweet story is lacking the notes to really take advantage of her effort as the dying wife, which is a shame for it's so close to becoming a excellent classic.

It lacks emotional depth, it wants to be a movie that makes you cry but ultimately fails to do so because it's mediocre writing. The main actress is great though, she really carries the film makeing it more enjoyable to watch

Sullivan deserved better for her last film, but this was what she got and she made the most of it. The plot--woman keeps cancer secret and readies daughter, husband and other woman for life without her--sounds ghastly, but the screenplay almost manages to save it from bathos. (Example: just as you grow weary of clocks and hourglasses, Sullivan declares "I'm tired of clocks," and clock imagery disappears!) Sullivan charms, managing--no mean feat--to be selfless and savvy without martyrdom.