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Old Acquaintance is a drama film from 1943 that explores the complex relationship between two childhood friends, Kit Marlowe (Bette Davis) and Millie Drake (Miriam Hopkins), as they navigate through their careers, marriages, and personal troubles over the course of two decades. The film opens in the 1920s, where Kit Marlowe is a struggling writer living in New York City. She is visited by her old friend Millie Drake, who is now a successful publisher and married to a wealthy businessman. They catch up on old times and it becomes clear that while they have both achieved success in their respective careers, their personal lives are far from perfect. Millie is unhappy in her marriage and has a strained relationship with her daughter Deidre (Dolores Moran), while Kit's writing career has yet to take off and she is struggling financially.

Despite their differences, Kit and Millie decide to collaborate on a play together. The play becomes a success and brings them both wealth and fame, but it also stirs up old feelings of envy and resentment between them. Kit becomes jealous of Millie's financial success and the ease with which she navigates through life, while Millie resents Kit for her artistic talent and the attention she receives from men.

Their relationship becomes even more strained when Kit falls in love with Rudd Kendall (Gig Young), a young man half her age who is also a struggling writer. Millie disapproves of their relationship and tries to sabotage it by setting Kit up with an older, wealthier man. Kit eventually chooses love over money and marries Rudd, causing a rift between her and Millie that lasts for years.

The film jumps forward several years to the 1940s, where Kit and Rudd’s marriage has hit a rough patch and they are considering divorce. Millie, who is now a successful Hollywood producer, visits them and they reconcile. However, old resentments resurface and Deidre, who has become a famous actress, becomes romantically involved with Rudd, causing even more drama between Kit and Millie.

Old Acquaintance is a poignant exploration of the complexities of female friendships and how the passage of time and different life choices can strain even the strongest relationships. Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins deliver powerful performances as two very different women who are bound together by their shared past and their intense emotions for each other. The film also features a strong supporting cast, most notably Gig Young as the charming and self-absorbed Rudd Kendall.

The film’s nuanced portrayal of female friendship and the struggles of women in the arts was ahead of its time and still resonates today. Old Acquaintance is a must-see for fans of classic Hollywood cinema and anyone who appreciates well-crafted, emotionally resonant drama.

Old Acquaintance is a 1943 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.