Mr. Skeffington (1944)

In 1914, the vibrant New York City becomes the backdrop for a tale of lost fortune and misunderstood love. Adult siblings, Fanny and Trippy Trellis, whose opulent days are behind them due to Trippy's reckless dealings, continue to lead a life of pretentious wealth, their financial downfall known only to their cousin George Trellis and a slew of creditors. Amid this turmoil, the strikingly beautiful Fanny has her pick of eager suitors. However, she fixates on Job Skeffington, a self-made man of Russian-Jewish descent thriving in finance, who was once Trippy's employer. Fanny's marriage to Job, a union born out of necessity rather than love, incites resentment and bitterness, particularly in Trippy, who understands Fanny's decision all too well. Job, on the other hand, is mindful of Fanny's lack of affection but unaware of her ulterior motives. Their relationship navigates tumultuous waters as Fanny's suitors continue to linger, and when the reason for their marriage evaporates, a significant shift occurs. The film takes a dramatic turn when Fanny divorces Job following Trippy's untimely death in World War I, and sends their daughter, also named Fanny, to live with Job in Europe. With her daughter away, Fanny indulges in a string of romantic escapades, seemingly unperturbed by her former life. However, as the storm clouds of World War II gather, her daughter returns to her side. Fanny's life takes a devastating hit when she contracts diphtheria, causing her to lose her enchanting beauty. As she grapples with her new reality, she is dealt another blow when her daughter elopes with her most recent lover. Meanwhile, Job, now penniless, returns to America. Blindness, however, spares him from witnessing Fanny's downfall. As Fanny's beauty fades and she careens into middle age, she has a poignant epiphany about the true values in life. "Mr. Skeffington" weaves a compelling narrative about love, loss, and the realisation of what truly matters when the veneer of beauty and wealth is stripped away.

Mr. Skeffington is a drama movie featuring Bette Davis.

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