Spencer TracyWoman of the Year

What's surprising about this film is it's age. Despite the enormous social changes that have occurred since this film was made (6 decades?) it's funny how these two characters could still be genuinely portrayed today. This character study of a socially and politically sophisticated woman, very well respected locally and globally for her charm, brains and political savvy ways, and her odd love for a regular guy who almost becomes a novelty to her after their marriage is not far cry from what could be made today. Spencer Tracy, as a newspaper sportswriter, crosses into the world of a social sophisticate played by Katherine Hepburn through an argument over some glib comments she makes about baseball which makes it into her radio address. Despite their differences there is a spark. That spark is nurtured by both of them until it becomes a passion leading to a brief but poignant romance. Once married, however, they are too different from each other. This wouldn't be so bad but Hepburn's character, rather than resolving the issues between them decides to resume her life and it's time consuming pace leaving her understanding but frustrated husband to his own pursuits while he evidently would rather have more of her attention. It comes down to a question of what a person wants. Hepburn's "Woman of the Year" is used to doing things her way and doesn't understand her commitment to making a marriage. This comes to head and the film makes a brave attempt to resolve these differences. Katherine's character is not an ice queen but a motivated person who's used to having her own life. Spencer's character is a sincere guy who's married to woman who has a demanding life who doesn't balance her time between home and career. In the end she realizes that she's not the perfect person and tries to bring her marriage back from the brink of failure. He cautions her that life is not as simple as just walking away from commitments and learning how to cook and expects her to make compromises not sacrifices.While there is some silly kitchen scenes at the end it's really an effort by the director to point out the futility of a person suddenly trying to reinvent herself. Her husband doesn't expect too much even if he's not a great motivational speaker. He also doesn't blame her for her plight but lets her know that she has options she has to consider. Reverse these rolls and it's easy to see how this film works on the two levels. If this were a man there would be no doubt that the woman was making sense. This film is almost revolutionary. It turns the tables on social roles at a time when people weren't even aware there was a table.

SPOILERS INCLUDED : Katherine Hepburn plays Tess Harding, a political journalist at the NY paper. Spencer Tracy is Sam Craig a sports journalist at the same paper. Tess has no value for sports and announces that baseball should be cancelled during the war. Sam immediately leaps to defend baseball creating a conflict at the paper. The editor calls them both to his office, where they meet and start falling for each other instantly. They go out which all ends disastrously as Sam leads a simple life and Tess has cocktail parties full of people discussing politics in multiple languages. Despite all the problems, the two eventually get married, in a slap-dash ceremony. Their marriage is very tumultuous as Tess does not listen to Sam and makes a lot of decisions without consulting him. The final straw comes when Tess adopts a child without consulting Sam then plans to leave him by himself as she goes to an awards ceremony. Sam leaves Tess and Tess eventually learns what it is to be a wife.

I had never seen this movie before, but during the pandemic, I have purchased a lot of vintage Hollywood on DVD, this being one of them. I really enjoyed this movie from start to finish.Criterion DVD's are also worth buying, even in the era of Blu-ray. WOMEN OF THE YEAR has not been released on Blu-ray yet, but I hope they'll get around to it at some point.

A woman ahead of her time in every way, Hepburn plays a woman ahead of her time in every way - until she finally comes to terms that she's met her match. In this, the famous acting duo are, as usual, opposed to one another. A standard Hollywood device with a little liberated woman thrown in. But she makes appalling assessments of how much Tracy can stand of her imperious ways in the world of men. I don't have to like every Tracy-Hepburn pairing equally, but Hepburn's original 'everything' always played wonderfully to Tracy's wise-cracking Everyman. I can't give 5 stars unless the film is truly great. Probably this is only a 3 - but so delightful I leave it to you.

Laugh so hard until I cried. 🤣

This was a fun watch with deeper meaning than I expected from the genre! Love Katherine!

Aside from the historical value of first teaming Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, Woman of the Year holds its own as a bright, smart 'Odd Couple' romantic comedy, with witty dialogue, a rich, textured performance by the reliable Tracy, and Hepburn showing a sexiness that she rarely gets to project on film (The Philadelphia Story is the only other example that comes to mind). The scenario is simple; Beautiful, brilliant Claire Booth Luce-type (Hepburn) clashes and falls for practical, salt-of-the-earth sportswriter (Tracy). While the domesticity scene concluding the film seems out of place (the story goes that MGM added it to make Tracy the 'winner' of the male/female competition, to a much more chauvanistic 40s audience), so many scenes ring true that the film goes beyond simple comedy to a statement about commitment, priorities, and accountability for one's actions. Oh, and it makes you laugh, too! Hepburn's first ball game, Tracy at the women's club meeting, are among the comic highlights. The star duo seem so natural together that it's hard to believe this was their first teaming! A well-deserved classic!

The Criterion blu Ray presentation of the film is beautiful...really lovely, luminous picture quality. Hepburn literally glows in this film. Wish they had included a commentary (there is so much here to work with...the exclusion seems odd)...but the supplements are a good bonus, especially the full-length doc "spencer Tracy legacy" hosted by Hepburn herself.The long essay included in the package is excellent. It gives some insight on why the ending is so out of sync with the film...and what that says about the 1940s...and indeed today.

Well, I was really surprised by seeing the reviews from the UK costumers. Trust the ones from the US I guess. At least in my opinion!! I LOVE this movie!! It's so, so much fun!! It was my first movie with both Tracy and Hepburn, and I laughed so much! And such a charming romantic comedy. The chemistry between ST and KH is really the greatest always, but I really think it's at its best in here. And also, you won't find romantic interactions between the two like in this movie in any of the others. This is where truly their chemistry goes va-va-woom, and made them king and queen of the MGM lot. Incredibly great actors, who could also do comedy. Along with this movie, my favorites of the couple are Adam's Rib and Guess who Coming to Dinner. Oh and this movie was directed by George Stevens, one of my favorites - talented director for comedies before the war. Great dramas after, like Shane, A Place in the Sun, Giant and The Diary of Anne Frank. But great talent for comedies as well!

very good

Not good

Ein alter klassiker film von damals.

A wonderful comedy/romance movie. Great performances by Tracy and Hepburn. They does make 'em like that any more!As usual, the Amazon folks came through on time and as ordered.One, two, three, four!!