Random Harvest

Directed by Mervyn LeRoy, Random Harvest follows a man (Ronald Colman) suffering from amnesia as he starts a new life with a singer/actress named Paula (Greer Garson). Filmmaker LeRoy delivers a watchable yet far-from-enthralling drama that never becomes quite as stirring or emotionally resonant as one might’ve anticipated, and it’s clear, ultimately, that the picture’s arms-length atmosphere is perpetuated by both its wildly overlong running time and a pace best described as deliberate – with the narrative often feeling as though it’s unfolding in slow motion. There’s little doubt, then, that Random Harvest‘s tolerable vibe is due mostly to the solid efforts of its stars, with Garson’s sympathetic turn certainly a recurring highlight within the proceedings, and the inclusion of a few admittedly surprising (and attention-buoying) twists, although, as a result of the static, repetitive midsection, the romantic finale is hardly able to pack the satisfying punch for which LeRoy has obviously intended – with the final result a decent-enough endeavor that could (and should) have topped out at around 90 minutes.

**1/2 out of ****