Watch Woman of the Year

In 1942, the movie "Woman of the Year" was released, featuring the legendary duo Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, alongside Fay Bainter. The film directed by George Stevens explores the modern-day phenomenon of the independent, career-driven woman. The film follows the iconic character of Tess Harding (Katharine Hepburn) who is a highly respected and successful journalist, raving about politics and society with her journalism column. She has strong opinions and is never afraid to voice them. On the other hand, Sam Craig (Spencer Tracy) is a sports journalist with a witty sense of humor and believes in the traditional values and lifestyle.

Tess and Sam meet for the first time, and the attraction between the two is instantaneous. As they fall in love, Tess's priorities start to conflict with Sam's traditional views. Tess's demanding career often keeps her occupied and away from Sam, who seems to seek a conventional partnership with his spouse. To complicate matters further, Tess is nominated for the prestigious 'Woman of the Year' award, which opens doors for national attention and honours her as a celebrated figure in her field.

As their relationship progresses, their individual identities are put on trial. Tess's chances of winning the 'Woman of the Year' award increases the turmoil in their relationship, testing Sam's ego, and forcing him to confront his own identity as a man.

The movie revolves around the themes of gender roles and how women should behave in society - especially in the 1940s. The film depicts the struggle of an independent woman trying to navigate her relationship, career, and values that are not commonly accepted during that period. The movie emphasizes the challenges of a woman who's misunderstood because she challenges the traditional standards of femininity, and highlights how she battles the unfair and sexist societal norms.

The screenplay for the movie, written by Ring Lardner Jr. and Michael Kanin, is filled with witty banter between the leads, making the exchanges between them fun to watch. The talented acting duo of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, with their impeccable comedic timing, contribute hugely to the film's success.

Furthermore, the movie was ahead of its time with a strong female character portrayed as a progressive, independent, and successful journalist - something that was considered unusual for women at that time. The portrayal of Tess Harding's character often pushed boundaries, and the resilience she shows as a woman who could stand on her own, and her intelligence only adds charm to her character. Tess was a role model for many women, embodying that strong-willed persona that stood up for herself.

The film's visual presentation is also noteworthy, showcasing the aesthetics of mid-century modernism. The costuming and styling of the movie are artfully crafted, with attention to detail, giving audiences a glimpse into the fashion and design of the time. The cinematography is exquisite, capturing the lives of a couple who are well-educated and live a comfortable, privileged life.

In conclusion, Woman of the Year is a timeless classic movie that remains relevant to today's audiences. The film remains an important piece of cinematic history for its portrayal of an independent, success-driven woman, and the movie's commentary on gender and cultural roles is not lost even after almost 80 years of the film's release. The impressive performances by Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, along with the brilliant direction by George Stevens, create a charming and poignant masterpiece of cinema.

Woman of the Year is a 1942 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 74.