"On Valentine's Day" is the central film in Horton Foote's semi-autobiographical trilogy that also includes "Courtship" and "1918." It is a nearly verbatim retelling of his stage play "Valentine's Day," and the sets and costumes beautifully transport the viewer back to the days of homefront World War I. Foote's central characters, newlyweds Horace and Elizabeth Robideaux, are acted with what might be termed "British" sensitivity (high praise!), and even his subsidiary characters are fascinating -- particularly Uncle George and Cousin Bobby. Though leisurely (some might say "stagy") in director Ken Harrison's affectionate realization, "On Valentine's Day" remains a gripping narrative. In the context of the filmed trilogy, it becomes much more: a shattering experience peopled by some of Horton Foote's most indelible characters.
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richievee22 November 1999
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Johnwebb669312 February 2012One of my favorites. It has a haunting nostalgia. Done in such excellent taste. Two of my favorite lines, "my mother was an aristocrat." And "are you the son I had by Mary?" I enjoy using both quotes. People seem to enjoy both, even though they have no idea What I am talking about. Ken Harrison is a true genius. It is unfortunate this movie was not publicized. A couple of the actors are known to me, but most I have seldom seen. This movie is about a bygone era and is filmed around waxahachie Texas . This is truly a beautiful movie about small town Texas. Horton foote is the author, who also wrote the screenplay for To Kill A Mockingbird.
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mrsbryan-714837 November 2020This film is focused on Christmas. Do you exchange gifts with persons who have ignored or disowned you? Do you forgive or just smile and nod? If someone offers you money should you take it?
The differences between Elizabeth and her wastrel brother are becoming more infuriating to Mr. Vaughan and yet he still cannot praise her or appreciate her properly, but he misses her. He has made his bed and has had to face the fact that his daughter defied him and is living happily without him. She is living with a good man, a man she loves and we get flashbacks to their elopement on Valentine's Day, which was foretold in hints in "Courtship." We also intuit Mr. Vaughan's wife's participation in the change of heart...or let's call it an attempted change of heart. She is also a victim, but it's hard to sympathize with her.
The various seemingly unrelated and usually odd people who come to the door in the 3-part story and whose intrusions into the larger community increases as the trilogy continues--who are these people, you might ask? Back up the video if you can and learn who they are. They are the background to many of the themes and they give depth to the situations and you might need to know them in the next film. We note the contrast between a mentally troubled local man who gives away money and Mr. Vaughan who comes late into the role of generous father in law. We see the plight of a landlady who has to deal with an unruly drunken renter.We see news delivered, which moves the plot along. Through letters and news delivery we learn more about relationships. It's all there for a purpose--I assume the primary set on stage was Elizabeth and Horace's rented rooms.
When you watch, keep the idea of Valentine's Day in your mind...Why was this the title? What significance is there for the couple's special day as they go through life? And what did their rebellion mean to their parents?
The acting continues to be remarkable. You believe that these people exist, preposterous as some of them are.You want each person to add some more details, to explain the why behind their actions. You want to shake Brother and give his privileges to a more deserving person. You want to smack Mr. Vaughan in the face. You want that kind, sweet restrained couple to kick up their heels. You want to shake that girl child next door and make her a better friend. You want the mentally unstable to find their way, the flawed to fix themselves, and their relatives to listen and to speak on their behalf.
The war continues to drum in the background, with Brother now wearing a military uniform, of a school he scorns to care about.
The end of the story is not dramatic. This installment is part of an ongoing story and that baby seems such a promise for good things to come.