Leave her to heaven (1945)
Leave Her to Heaven, directed by John M. Stahl, is a psychological thriller and film noir that subverts the expectations of its Technicolor presentation to deliver a dark and haunting tale of obsession, jealousy and control. Based on the novel by Ben Ames Williams, the film stars Gene Tierney as Ellen Berent, a beautiful but deeply disturbed woman whose obsessive love leads to a series of tragic events. The film is notable for its exploration of possessiveness and the destructive power of obsession, wrapped in a visually striking, almost deceptive Technicolor palette that contrasts sharply with its dark themes.
The story follows novelist Richard Harland, who meets the enigmatic and beautiful Ellen Berent while traveling by train. Ellen quickly becomes infatuated with Richard and, despite being engaged, aggressively pursues him. The two marry, but it soon becomes clear that Ellen's love for Richard is possessive and controlling. She wants him all to herself and resents any attention he pays to others, including his younger brother Danny and her own family.
As Ellen's obsession intensifies, her actions become increasingly destructive. She deliberately causes Danny's death by allowing him to drown, all the while maintaining the appearance of a loving wife. When Ellen becomes pregnant, she aborts the pregnancy by throwing herself down a flight of stairs, seeing the baby as another obstacle to her exclusive control over Richard. Eventually, Ellen's manipulative and murderous behavior is exposed, leading to her tragic end and a courtroom drama that leaves Richard to deal with the consequences of her actions.
The central theme of Leave Her to Heaven is the destructive nature of obsessive love. Ellen's fixation on Richard goes far beyond affection or devotion - her love becomes a form of control as she seeks to isolate him from anyone who might take away his attention. Throughout the film, Ellen is portrayed as a woman who cannot tolerate any form of competition for Richard's love, whether it comes from his family or even her unborn child. Her obsession ultimately drives her to murder and self-destruction, making her a classic femme fatale in the film noir tradition.
Ellen's desire to possess Richard is also tied to her own identity and sense of self-worth. She sees Richard not as a partner but as a possession, an object that should be hers alone. Her controlling behavior stems from her need to define herself through her relationship with Richard, which leads her to extreme actions to maintain her sense of ownership over him. This theme of possession is central to the film's depiction of toxic relationships, showing how Ellen's inability to see Richard as an autonomous person leads to tragic consequences.
Jealousy is another key theme in Leave Her to Heaven, driving Ellen to increasingly cruel and violent acts. Her jealousy is not limited to romantic rivals, but extends to anyone or anything that might take Richard's attention away from her. Her extreme jealousy manifests itself in her actions toward Danny, Richard's younger brother, as she sees his close relationship with Richard as a threat. Ellen's descent into madness is fueled by her inability to cope with these feelings, and her destructive impulses ultimately consume her.
The film's use of Technicolor, typically associated with vibrant and optimistic films, contrasts sharply with the dark and sinister tone of the narrative. This contrast between appearance and reality reflects Ellen's own character. On the surface, she is beautiful, elegant, and composed, but beneath this exterior lies a deeply disturbed and dangerous individual. The movie plays with this visual dissonance to emphasize the theme of deception, both in Ellen's appearance and in the way she manipulates those around her.
Gene Tierney's portrayal of Ellen Berent is chilling and multifaceted. Ellen is a complex character who embodies both the allure and danger of the classic femme fatale. Tierney's performance captures the tension between Ellen's outward beauty and charm and the cold, calculating nature of her inner self. Ellen's obsessive love for Richard is the driving force behind her actions, and Tierney expertly conveys the psychological unraveling that occurs when Ellen's attempts to control her world spiral out of control. Her character is both tragic and terrifying, a woman whose inability to love in a healthy way leads her to destruction.
Richard Harland, played by Cornel Wilde, is a novelist who becomes the object of Ellen's obsessive affection. While Richard is initially captivated by Ellen's beauty and intensity, he quickly finds himself trapped in a marriage dominated by her manipulative and controlling behavior. Richard's character is somewhat passive in the face of Ellen's actions, reflecting his inability to fully comprehend the depth of her instability until it's too late. His gradual realization of Ellen's true nature adds to the tension of the film as he struggles to navigate the increasingly dangerous situation he finds himself in.
Jeanne Crain plays Ruth Berent, Ellen's cousin and the polar opposite of Ellen in temperament and morality. Ruth's kindness, warmth and genuine affection for Richard stand in stark contrast to Ellen's possessive and destructive love. As the movie progresses, Ruth becomes a more central character, especially after Ellen's death when her relationship with Richard becomes more complicated. Ruth represents the possibility of a healthy and balanced love, but her involvement in the Harland family saga is tainted by the shadow of Ellen's actions.
One of the most striking aspects of Leave Her to Heaven is its use of Technicolor. While the film deals with dark and tragic themes, its lush, vibrant color palette creates a visual dissonance that heightens the tension. The beautiful, serene locations - especially the lake house where much of the action takes place - serve as a sharp contrast to the psychological turmoil and violence that occurs. This juxtaposition between the bright, idyllic visuals and the film's dark content adds a layer of complexity to the narrative and reinforces the theme of appearances masking deeper, more disturbing realities.
The film's score, composed by Alfred Newman, plays a crucial role in building suspense and highlighting the psychological tension between the characters. The music often alternates between romantic and ominous tones, reflecting Ellen's dual nature as both an enchanting and dangerous figure. The score underscores the growing sense of dread as Ellen's actions become more extreme, contributing to the movie's overall atmosphere of unease.
Leave Her to Heaven remains one of the most iconic films of the 1940s, due in part to Gene Tierney's outstanding performance and the film's unique blend of psychological thriller and melodrama. Tierney's portrayal of Ellen Berent is often cited as one of her best, and earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. The film's exploration of obsession and its use of Technicolor to contrast beauty with inner darkness have made it a classic of the noir genre, even though it departs from the typical visual style of film noir.
Leave Her to Heaven is a haunting and visually stunning film that explores the darker aspects of love, jealousy, and control. Through its exploration of obsessive love and the destructive power of obsession, the film offers a chilling portrait of a woman whose inability to share her love leads her down a path of murder and self-destruction. With its striking use of Technicolor and strong performances, particularly by Gene Tierney, Leave Her to Heaven remains a compelling psychological thriller that continues to captivate audiences with its complex characters and dark themes.
