Madness of the Heart: A review

MADNESS OF THE HEART is a 1949’s film directed by Charles Bennett and starring Margaret Lockwood, Paul Dupuis and Kathleen Byron.

I first have to talk to you about Charles Bennett, because I discovered very interesting information about him. Charles Bennett directed only two movies (including this one), but he is more well known as a screenwriter, and for his work with Alfred Hitchcock. From the Master of suspense’s films, he wrote the screenplays of Blackmail, The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934), The 39 Steps, Sabotage, Secret Agent, Young and Innocent, Foreign Correspondent and Saboteur. He didn’t write the screenplay of the 2nd version of The Man Who Knew too Much (1956), but the movie was based on a story he wrote. It’s him who introduced Hitchcock to producer David O. Selznick. Finally, Charles Bennett was nominated for the Best Screenplay Oscar for Foreign Correspondent. Well, even if Madness of the Heart is, unfortunately, a very underrated movie, Charles Bennett wasn’t a nobody!

Back to the film. I must admit, I really didn’t know what to expect. There are not many information about it on the web. Well, let me tell you, ladies and gentlemen, that was a fine movie. It’s not the BEST movie ever, but it’s certainly worth watching. Here, Margaret Lockwood plays the part of a blind woman who marries her French lover and moves to his ancestral house. But his father and a jealous neighbour conspire to destroy the marriage… With this movie, we can see how Margaret Lockwood is able to play all kind of roles. She can be so mad, but she can be the lovely victim (that’s what she is in this one). This is really one of my favourite performances of her! The other actors were great too, but the star really is Margaret Lockwood. Some people might say that this kind of movie was done before. I agree, but, there, it’s made in a different way so it remains interesting. This movie really keeps your attention and isn’t boring at all and, as I said, very underrated (but that’s my opinion). Anyway, now I am happy to say that I watched this obscure movie. It was a great surprise and I hope you will watch it too!