NR | 1h 42m | Drama | 1948
I’ve always appreciated what a great actress Jane Wyman (1917–2007) was, particularly in her star-turning role as the caring girlfriend of an alcoholic writer (played by Ray Milland) in “The Lost Weekend” (1945). In her newfound stardom, she played the lead in 1948’s “Johnny Belinda.”
The film is based on a real-life event on Prince Edward Island and dramatizes the tragedy and eventual triumph of Lydia Dingwell, one of the island’s residents. In the film, the location is changed to a neighboring island, Cape Breton Island. Both islands are off the eastern coast of Canada.
Deaf and Mute, but Far From Dumb
Dr. Robert Richardson (Lew Ayres) has moved into the nearby fishing village and set up shop as the town’s primary physician. He’s a kind-hearted soul who thinks nothing of helping the local farmers and fishermen with his medical skills, even if they don’t have the money to pay for his services. His secretary, Stella (Jan Sterling), has a crush on him, but he doesn’t seem to notice her attraction.
One evening, Aggie visits the good doctor and urges him to come out to her and Black’s farm to treat their only cow, which is wounded. He travels 12 miles to the farm and fixes up the cow. While there, he’s immediately smitten with Belinda upon laying eyes on her. Instead of accepting money for his services, Dr. Richardson asks Black if he can fish in his pond sometime in the future, and the farmer agrees.
Meanwhile, the local playboy, Locky McCormick (Stephen McNally), plans to marry Stella. Locky makes frequent trips to the McDonald farm to purchase flour. One night while drunk, Locky visits the farm when Black and Aggie are away. A tragic event transpires, shaking the village to its core and setting the gossip mill ablaze.
The scandal’s impact is so profound that Dr. Richardson contemplates leaving the village. However, a tender encounter with Belinda might change his mind.
Powerful Performances
Wyman delivers a stellar performance, both sensitive and poignant, that seems tailor-made for her. Though not conventionally beautiful, Wyman possesses a girl-next-door charm that suits Belinda’s ordinary lifestyle and appearance perfectly, allowing her natural appeal to shine. Her life takes an unexpected turn with the guidance of a young doctor and the arrival of an illegitimate child.Throughout the film, Wyman’s expressive face and large, luminous eyes serve as a window into her character’s inner world, conveying a range of emotions without a word. Even as she learns to communicate through sign language under Dr. Richardson’s instruction, Wyman’s portrayal remains affecting. For her outstanding performance, she earned an Academy Award (the film was nominated for 11 others).
Wyman is also supported by a talented cast, including Bickford, Moorehead, and Sterling, who are given more substantial roles than usual, enhancing the film’s overall effect.
While Wyman and Ayres deliver straightforward performances, the supporting characters of Black, Aggie, and Stella experience surprising and diverging arcs, revealing a depth of humanity that surpasses their initial portrayals. Lew Ayres, best known for his role in 1930’s “All Quiet on the Western Front,” stands out with a reassuringly paternal presence.
The film was once considered controversial for its exploration of taboo subjects, and it remains a testament to the era in which it was produced. Its key sequences, filled with tension and gripping intensity, continue to captivate audiences today, drawing them into the narrative with each unfolding moment.
While the subject matter may still evoke strong emotions in contemporary viewers, the authenticity with which each narrative turn is depicted ensures a deeply immersive and rewarding cinematic experience that lingers on long after the screen fades to black.
