None But the Lonely Heart (1944) - Clifford Odets

I could thank the lucky stars for this film. Not because its a revalatory masterpiece, or Odets' direction is sublime, but because of Cary Grant. More specifically this closes a hole that I have found nearly impossible to fill, that is a best actor worthy performance from 1944. '44 was a horrifically weak year in cinema. Many films were really good, but next to none were great, Oscar worthy, and in the best actor race, I could scarcely even find someone worth giving a nomination to. Cary Grant only received two Oscar nominations in his career, and both were for uncharacteristic dramatic roles. None But the Lonely Heart is quite possibly his finest hour as an actor. Remarkably understated (compared to that year's Arsenic and Old Lace) but deeply emotional, he is never less than great as the wandering, charming, but intrinsically good Ernie Mott. His suffering mother is played by Ethyl Barrymore who has an amazing repoire with Grant, and won a well deserved supporting actress Oscar.

*None But the Lonely Heart was nominated for best actor (Grant), best editing, best score - drama or comedy. It won for best supporting actress (Barrymore)