Watch H.M. Pulham Esquire

H.M. Pulham, Esquire is a romantic melodrama from 1941 that stars Robert Young and Hedy Lamarr. The film is based on the novel of the same name by John P. Marquand and follows the story of Harry Pulham, Jr. (Young), a successful businessman who is reflecting on his life and relationship with a certain woman from his past. The story is told through a series of flashbacks, as Harry attends his 25th Harvard reunion and reflects back on his life up until that point. In the opening scenes, we see Harry as a proper and respectable Boston businessman who has worked hard to achieve success. Despite his accomplishments, he feels unfulfilled and restless. As he prepares to attend his Harvard reunion, he begins to reflect on the events that led up to his current situation.

Flashbacks take us back to Harry's time at Harvard, where he meets Kay Motford (Lamarr), a smart and beautiful woman who captures his attention. Though initially hesitant, Kay eventually agrees to date Harry, and they begin a whirlwind romance that takes them from Boston to New York and beyond.

Despite their obvious attraction, Harry and Kay come from very different backgrounds. Harry is focused on his career and maintaining his social status, while Kay is more free-spirited and unconventional. Ultimately, their different priorities lead to tension in their relationship, and Harry decides to break things off with Kay and pursue a more conventional path in life.

Years later, as Harry reflects back on his life with Kay, he realizes that he may have made a mistake. He begins to yearn for the passion and love that he shared with Kay, but questions whether it's too late to rekindle their relationship.

Throughout the film, we see Harry grappling with his thoughts and emotions as he tries to decide what he truly wants in life. His interactions with friends and colleagues provide insight into the societal pressures and expectations that weighed heavily on men during this time period, and the toll it could take on their personal lives.

The performances from Young and Lamarr are highly effective, with both actors seamlessly moving between the present-day and flashback sequences. Young gives a nuanced portrayal of a man struggling to reconcile his desires with societal pressures, while Lamarr brings a warmth and vibrancy to the character of Kay that makes it easy to understand why Harry fell for her.

The film also features solid supporting performances from Ruth Hussey, who plays Harry's wife, Marvin and Charles Coburn, who play Harry's colleagues and friends. The lush, elegant cinematography of the film perfectly captures the glamorous world of Boston and New York high society.

Overall, H.M. Pulham, Esquire is a poignant and nuanced exploration of love, societal pressures, and the search for personal fulfillment. The timeless themes of the film continue to resonate with audiences today, making it a classic of its genre.

H.M. Pulham Esquire is a 1941 drama with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.