Watch My Reputation

My Reputation is a 1946 drama directed by Curtis Bernhardt and starring Barbara Stanwyck, George Brent, and Warner Anderson. The film is set during World War II and follows the story of a young widow named Jessica Drummond (Barbara Stanwyck), who tries to move on from the loss of her husband by moving to a small town in the countryside with her two sons.

As soon as Jessica arrives, she meets and begins to fall for the charming Major Scott Landis (George Brent), who is also a friend of her husband's family. However, when word of their romance spreads around town, Jessica is faced with public scrutiny and disapproval, and she is criticized for not mourning her husband for long enough.

Amidst all of this, Jessica also has to balance her role as a mother to her two sons, who are also adjusting to their new surroundings. Her elder son, who is a teenager, is resentful of his mother's new relationship and feels as though she is betraying his father's memory, while her younger son is more accepting of the situation and tries to be supportive of his mother.

As Jessica struggles to navigate this new phase in her life, she is also forced to confront her own feelings about love, marriage, and societal expectations. She questions whether it is possible for her to move on after losing her husband, and she grapples with the idea of what it means to be a "respectable" woman in a small town during wartime.

Throughout the film, Barbara Stanwyck gives a standout performance as Jessica, portraying the character's vulnerability, strength, and emotional conflicts with authenticity and depth. Meanwhile, George Brent brings a sense of charm and charisma to the role of Major Landis, making it easy to understand why Jessica would fall for him.

The film's supporting cast also deserves mention, particularly Warner Anderson as Jessica's longtime friend, Ginna Abbott. Anderson brings a sense of warmth and humor to the role, making Ginna a much-needed source of comfort and support for Jessica throughout the film.

In addition to the strong performances, My Reputation also boasts beautiful cinematography, with sweeping shots of the countryside and carefully composed close-ups of the characters' emotional reactions. The film's score is also noteworthy, with a haunting and melancholic theme that perfectly captures the film's overall tone.

Overall, My Reputation is a poignant and thought-provoking drama that tackles complex themes of grief, love, and societal expectations with sensitivity and nuance. It is a testament to the enduring talents of Barbara Stanwyck and a standout film from the golden age of Hollywood.

My Reputation is a 1946 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.