Vacation From Marriage (aka Perfect Strangers) (1945)

A mild mannered bookkeeper (Robert Donat) and his mousy wife (Deborah Kerr) lead a tedious life. But when war breaks out, he joins the Navy and she joins the Women's Royal Navy Service. The war separates them for three years but during that time, he grows more confident and assured while she blossoms into an independent woman. The war has changed them. Will they be able to go back as man and wife since they're not the same people? Directed by Alexander Korda (PRIVATE LIFE OF HENRY VIII), the film is a parable of Great Britain during the war. As the war changes the husband and wife so the war changed England and life would never be the same. Clemence Dane's Oscar winning story is interesting and for most of the film's running time, it's on firm ground. However, the ending goes a bit flabby and predictable. We always knew where it was going to end up but did it have to be so romcom-ish? There's a scene where Kerr says of Donat, "He's no Cark Gable" and just two years later, she made her American film debut opposite Gable in THE HUCKSTERS. There's a fine supporting cast including Glynis Johns, Ann Todd, Roland Culver and Caven Watson.