Watch Her Cardboard Lover

Her Cardboard Lover is a timeless romantic-comedy film starring the Golden Age Hollywood legends Norma Shearer, Robert Taylor, and George Sanders. This 1942 film has stood the test of time, perfectly capturing the charm and wit of romantic comedies of its time. The story revolves around Terry Trindale (Norma Shearer), a wealthy and independent young woman who is cynically disillusioned with love. When she is jilted by her fiancé, she decides to take a charming gigolo named Tony Barling (Robert Taylor) as her lover. Tony is hired to be her cardboard lover, to give the impression of an illicit affair to make the former fiancé jealous.

However, things start to get complicated when Terry begins to fall in love with Tony for real. Tony is initially in it for the money, but soon finds himself enamored with her as well. To make matters worse, Terry's former fiancé, Reggie Irving (George Sanders), returns to win her back, adding another layer of complexity to the love triangle.

The film's comedy comes from the class differences between Terry and Tony. She is a rich, independent woman, while he is a smooth-talking gigolo with a checkered past. This creates a lot of witty banter and sarcastic one-liners between the two leads. However, as their relationship progresses, it becomes clear that they truly love each other, and the class differences become less important.

The chemistry between Norma Shearer and Robert Taylor is electrifying, and their performances as Terry and Tony are the heart of the film. She brings a unique blend of strength and vulnerability to her character, which makes it easy to root for her. Robert Taylor, on the other hand, is charming and smooth, playing his role with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

George Sanders, who plays Reggie, provides excellent comic relief as the pompous, selfish former fiancé. His performance is exaggerated, but it fits the film's slightly over-the-top tone. His attempts to win Terry back are simultaneously humorous and cringe-worthy, making him a perfect foil for the other two characters.

The film's plot may seem simple by today's standards, but it still manages to hold up. The love triangle between Terry, Tony, and Reggie is a timeless trope that has been used in countless romantic comedies over the years. Even though the audience can guess how the film will end, it is still a pleasure to watch the characters get there.

One of the standout elements of Her Cardboard Lover is the production design. The sets are stylish and luxurious, making the audience feel like they are peeking into a bygone era. The costumes are equally impressive, with Norma Shearer's wardrobe being particularly stunning.

The film's director, George Cukor, was a master of the romantic comedy genre, and it shows in Her Cardboard Lover. His direction is clean and precise, allowing the characters and dialogue to shine. The film's pacing is excellent, keeping the audience engaged from beginning to end.

In conclusion, Her Cardboard Lover is a classic romantic-comedy that is still enjoyable today. The chemistry between Norma Shearer and Robert Taylor, the witty banter, and the luxurious production design all add up to make an entertaining film. The film's themes of class differences and the unpredictability of love are still relevant today. It is a true gem of Hollywood's Golden Age, and a must-watch for fans of the genre.

Her Cardboard Lover is a 1942 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.