The story in actual fact is simple and straight forward and details the romance that blossoms between Elizabeth, an invalid in her domineering father's house, and acclaimed poet Robert Browning. The friendship that first develops via letters grows into a consuming love affair after the two finally meet and through the love and devotion that Elizabeth receives we witness a rapid improvement in her health where she begins to enjoy life and begins going out into the world. Elizabeth's new found happiness however is continually blighted by her overbearing father Edward Moulton-Barrett (Charles Laughton), who has it as his aim to not allow any of his 9 children to marry or have any relations with people outside of the family. He comes into conflict not only with Elizabeth and Robert but also with his spirited younger daughter Henrietta (Maureen O"Sullivan), who begins a romance much to her father's disgust, with Captain Surtees Cook (Ralph Forbes). With Robert's promise of a new happier world and future life as his wife, Elizabeth grows in confidence and inner strength and with the assistance of loyal maid Wilson (Una O"Connor) she plots to make her escape and go away with Robert. After much soul searching and heated discussions with her as always obstinate father about the rights and wrongs of marrying Robert, Elizabeth decides that he will never change and leaves her family home where she has not only been a physical prisoner but also an emotional one for far too long. The final scenes see Elizabeth leave the house against her father's wishes to begin a new life with Robert taking Wilson her always devoted servant with her.
Despite the very stagey appearance of much of the film which largely confines the main action to Elizabeth's bedroom the good performances do to a large extent help "open out" the stage origins of the piece. Norma Shearer is both reserved and at times wonderfully spirited in her multi layered playing of Elizabeth and her early work as a full invalid is very well executed in particular when with Robert's prompting she takes her first tentative steps away from the security of her bedroom. Shearer who was often reluctant to take on the mantle of the highly polished queen of period dress films that her husband envisioned for her, was at first most reluctant to tackle the role of a largely bedridden invalid. Reunited with her popular "Smilin' Through" costar Fredric March however she soon saw the golden opportunity awaiting her and she created one of her best pieces of work on film. The story really comes alive in the many heated exchanges that take place between Elizabeth and her horrid father. Here the real dramatic power of "The Barretts of Wimpole Street",lies and Norma Shearer more than holds her own in the dramatic stakes with such a seasoned scene stealer as Charles Laughton. While Laughton's character is all spite and hatred it can be seen thanks to his expert playing of the part, that alot of what motivates him is bascially a deep seated fear of being eventually left on his own. What is amazing is the fact that despite being almost the same age as Norma Shearer, the wonders of makeup have allowed Laughton to convincingly play her father and never once does it look odd or unrealistic. Being a grade "A" production the film has a beautiful rich look and feel to it courtesy of MGM. Attention to detail in sets and general period flavour is top rate and designer Adrian again has excelled with his magnificent historically accurate costumes especially for Norma Shearer and Maureen O"Sullivan. Director Sidney Franklin had a difficult task on his hands in opening out a story that clearly betrayed its stage origins and in the second half in particular he succeeds very well in giving the story more movement and dimension. He liked the material so much that he went on to remake this film to far less dramatic acclaim in the 1950's with Jennifer Jones taking the Elizabeth Barrett role.
"The Barretts of Wimpole Street", is without a doubt one of the crowning glories in the careers of all three lead performers. Norma Shearer totally deserved the acclaim she won for her work here and she managed to make the character of Elizabeth Barrett totally her own. It is definately movie making of the old school and while the romance between these two young lovers may appear a bit dated it is thanks to the determined playing by Charles Laughton adding the necessary spice to the proceedings that makes it totally enjoyable viewing. Treat yourself to a viewing of this early MGM gem and see how Norma Shearer with the influencing of her husband rightly became known as the prestigious Queen of MGM productions during the 1930's.
