Customer Reviews

Deception [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a stylish and intriguing film about a pianist, Christine Radcliffe, who has an affair with her benefactor, the wealthy and reknowned composer, Alex Hollenius. She began this affair years after she had fled World War II Europe, leaving behind the then love of her life, cellist Karel Novak, whom she believed to have been killed in the war.

One day she discovers that Novak is stateside and playing his cello at a college concert. She goes, hoping against hope, and discovers her long lost lover, and it is as if they had never been parted. She brings him to her stylish and sophisticated home, where he sees traces of another man having been there in an intimate sort of way. He is suspicious, though Christine avows her love for him.

They decide to marry immediately, and do so, throwing a celebratory party which is the epitome of post war chic and is crashed by Alex Hellonius, the now spurned former lover. Hellonius happens to be one of Novak's favorite composers, but his somewhat outrageous behavior at the party at first puzzles Novak. Novak finally catches on that there must have been something going on between Christine and Hellonius, but Christine denies it, saying that he was merely her benefactor.

A cat and mouse game ensues between Hellonius and Christine with the emotionally fragile Novak as the unwitting the pawn. Hellonius taunts Christine under the guise of friendship and musical sponsorship of Novak. Christine suspects that Hellonius is up to no good and is worried. He taunts her, until she believes that she can no longer maintain the deception. She then resorts to a solution that will prove to be unnecessarily final.

Bette Davis is excellent in her role, but Claude Rains pulls out all the stops. How he did not get an Academy Award for his performance, I will never know. He is sensational as the egotistical, clever, and utterly brilliant composer. Paul Henreid gives a fine performance as the war scarred, sensitive cellist, but is somewhat overshadowed by his co-stars. This is a must see film for all Bette Davis fans and classic film lovers. The film will also turn the viewer into a die hard Claude Rains fan.

Dynamic Bette and equally intense Claude are nearly overshadowed by the knockout sets in this operatic dramatization of a love triangle. Bette's New York apartment was actually based on Leonard Bernstein's little pad. It's a perfect setting for this highly charged drama but equally ravishing is the unforgettable musical score by Eric Korngold. Even the credits are art deco, silverish-charcoal, which puts this fun masterpiece on a surreal level. One shot that no one should miss and which has become a classic: the final close-up of la Davis as a woman says to her: "You must be the happiest woman on earth!" Oh, those Davis eyes and face. They can tell a life story in just the flicker of an eye.

This is Rains at his best male bitchiness. The dinner with Davis and Heinreid (usually cut for some inexplicable reason when this film makes an extremely rare appearance on commercial late-night television)is worth the price of purchase: a degree of sophistication almost non-existent in most American-made movies of this or any era, post Hayes-office. This is a movie of an era that is vanished and can never be duplicated. It's like looking at a John Singer Sargent portrait. The music may even sound good at this late 1990's remove from classical film music of the 1940's.

This is a movie no fan of Bette Davis should miss seeing. The story really holds your interest. I'd give it more stars if I could. They don't make them like this anymore.

Bette has deserted a world-famous conductor (Rains, in a bravura performance which overshadows Davis) for an old love, a violinist (Henreid); when the former turns up at the wedding reception, Davis says feebly (if that adverb could ever be applied to her behaviour) that there hadn't been enough time to send an invitation..........With poise, Davis continues to eat her meal, while Rains observes that the caviar is over-chilled: but they don't ignore the situation - "Have one husband, have eight" Says Rains in his matter-of-fact way "but you'll come back to me". Memorable moments in the movies generally have nothing to do with real life, and an artificial pleasure contained in this one is watching LaDavis wolf down her smoked turkey as if nothing in the world has happened. The vibrant intelligence of Davis could make endurable, if not save, a film as absurd as DECEPTION. This one is about good music, and at Warners, where good music was concerned - it was class all the way. Davis shoots Claude Rains on the grandest of grand staircases in this film; since Bette's penthouse must be the biggest in New York, the emotions on display are of the same size. Irving Rapper (NOW, VOYAGER) directed this grand opera-ish melodrama of which Davis repeatedly remarked had a phoney, contrived script; it is however, a treat for Davis and Rains addicts.

The quintessential Rains dominates this flick about a pianist and a cellist (yes, Henreid plays a CELLIST, not a violinist, as so many reviewers here seem to think) who really don't stand a chance up against Rains's wicked wit. There is a truly diabolical scene in which Rains treats the cutesy couple to a potentially magnificent gourmet meal--if only he'd let them get TO it!

Good food, good wine, good music, great Rains. Frankly I'd take Claude any day over Paul, yes even in Casablanca.

Bette Davis and Claude Rains are always at their best in their own movies, but together they are dynamite. You just can't take your eyes off of them! Very entertaining duo! Over reacting and all!

Yes, it's a weak script and a bit camp, but oh those bravura performances from Claude Rains and Bette Davis. (Yes, Raines should have won the Academy Award.) The restaurant scene alone is worth the price of admission. And the music! I cut my classical music teeth on movie scores of the 30's and 40's. I especially loved Bette's apartment. It was interesting to learn that it was patterned after Leonard Bernstein's pad.So much garbage is on the screen these days and the films go right to DVD. Why isn't this film on DVD? MGM, wake up! What's taking you so long? And, while I'm at it, Where are the Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy films? Have you forgotten the glorious voices that made millions for you in the early 30's? How many deceased movie stars still have several active fan clubs! Let's get with it before all the people who really care about quality films are six feet under!

I love Bette Davis. She is one of my favorite actresses. While I loved the music and the acting in Deception, I found the premise hard to believe. I would think that Henreid's character (Novak) would have put 2 and 2 together upon seeing how swell Davis' character (Radcliff) was living and after the way Rains' character (Hollenius) behaved at the reception. He was definitely a scorned man. Furthermore, Hollenius' behavior at the restaurant left nothing to the imagination as to the depth and scope of his relationship with Radcliff. Loved the way he let his emotions play out. I think Novak was as awestruck as Radcliff was with Hollenius' wealth, power, and position. Best to close a dumb eye than to lose the chance at stardom and wealth?

And Radcliff, what kind of game was she playing? I think she wanted to have her cake and eat it too. She knew or should have known that Hollenius with his massive ego was not going to let her "love" Novak in peace. Why did she invite him into her orbit post-marriage anyway? Remember the scene in the bedroom when she called herself giving the fur coat back to Hollenius? Well that was short-lived and her draping it over her shoulder as she exited the bedroom spoke volumes as to her love of the good life. She simply wanted it all, but couldn't control Hollenius sufficiently to make that a reality.

I'm collecting Claude Rains films and recently bought this video, Deception, and viewed it today. I agree the music sound is rather shaky at times so that could be improved upon. I'd consider it one of Rains' best acting performances - so suave, always a 'bon mot' at the right moment, thoroughly enjoying the role he is called upon to play, executing it with a flamboyant style particularly the scene of ordering dinner. Who could top that? It's a delight. I will treasure this film. Also, I've grown to appreciate Bette Davis movies as I got older and feel she gave a heart-rending performance, thoughtful and, thank goodness, not so overwrought. Paul Henreid does well but in my opinion cannot keep up with the other two fine actors. Do see this one!