Movie Review: The Inn of the Sixth Happiness
My great auntie is 88 years old. I often talk about her here on our blog as I am one of three of her personal caretakers. My auntie is really set in her ways like most of the older generation is. When it comes to watching TV and movies, ONLY the classics will do. Seriously, she watches NO modern shows at all.
Recently I was given the opportunity to review a classic movie and I jumped at the chance so that I could watch it with my auntie. “The Inn of the Sixth Happiness” was just released on Blu-Ray and DVD on February 4th, 2014.
Synopsis: For all of her life Englishwoman Gladys Aylward (Ingrid Bergman) knew that China was the place where she belonged. Not qualified to be sent there as a missionary, Gladys works as a domestic to earn the money to send herself to a poor, remote village. There she eventually lives a full and happy life: running the inn, acting as “foot inspector”, advising the local Mandarin and even winning the heart of mixed race Captain Lin Nan (Curt Jurgens). But Gladys discovers her real destiny when the country is invaded by Japan and the Chinese children need her to save their lives. Based on a true story.
Our Thoughts: Well, I am not the perfect person to do this review since I am not a fan of the classic stories, unless they are modern remakes. With that said, I did enjoy sitting down and watching this movie with my auntie.
What was really fascinating about this movie is that it is based on a true story, one that I had never known about. Gladys is a character that is searching for happiness and something that makes her feel “worthy” but worthy in a good way, not a profitable one. I think we all go through periods like that in our own lives.
Anyway, she eventually works & saves up enough money and heads to a remote village over in China. She didn’t go there to look for love but love does find her and she lets the love of her life into her heart. She was content I think with that for awhile until the war when Japan invades China, then she realizes her “true calling” and the things that are meaningful & important to her.
For an older film, the scenery and acting are pretty good, but what is even better is the actual story line. This film actually was an Academy Award Nominee back then so you know that it has to be pretty good!
I am not going to tell you how it ends but it is definitely a decent movie and if you love classics, I think you would enjoy it. If you have some seniors in your life, this would make a great gift to give them! Enjoy!
Disclosure: I am a member of the Fox Home Entertainment Insiders Club and was given a complimentary copy of this movie for my review. I was not compensated for this post and my thoughts & opinions are my own.