Watch I Thank a Fool

"I Thank a Fool" is a British psychological thriller from 1962, directed by Robert Stevens and starring Susan Hayward, Peter Finch, and Diane Cilento. The film has a runtime of 100 minutes and tells the story of a woman who is trapped in a toxic marriage and finds herself caught up in a conspiracy that threatens to destroy her life.

Hayward plays Anna, a wealthy but unhappy woman who is trapped in a loveless marriage with her husband, Michael (played by Cyril Cusack). Anna spends her time drinking and taking pills to numb the pain of her miserable existence. One day, she meets a doctor named David (Peter Finch), who becomes her confidante and helps her confront her demons.

However, their friendship quickly turns dangerous when David enlists Anna's help in a scheme to swindle a convicted murderer out of his inheritance. The plan involves pretending that Anna is romantically involved with the murderer and tricking him into giving away his fortune. But as the plan unfolds, Anna begins to suspect that David has ulterior motives, and she realizes too late that she has been drawn into a web of deceit and danger.

Throughout the film, Hayward gives a breathtaking performance as Anna, bringing depth and complexity to a character who could have easily become a stereotype. With her layered portrayal, she portrays Anna's emotional fragility and her desperate search for autonomy and meaning in her life. Finch is also impressive as David, his character's charm and intelligence masking darker tendencies that are gradually revealed over the course of the movie.

Cilento plays a pivotal role as Julia, the convicted murderer's fiancee, who is initially fiercely protective of her partner's interests but later becomes an ally to Anna in their fight against David. Her chemistry with Hayward is notable, and they share some of the film's most intense scenes together.

"I Thank a Fool" is expertly crafted, with polished cinematography and a taut screenplay that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The film is particularly noteworthy for its portrayal of Anna's struggle with addiction and mental illness, which was a rarity in cinema at the time.

Overall, "I Thank a Fool" is an engaging and thought-provoking film that showcases some of the best acting talent of its era. The story's unexpected twists and turns will keep viewers guessing until the very end, and the haunting final scene is sure to linger in the memory long after the credits have rolled.

I Thank a Fool is a 1962 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.