jc-osms Set in post-WWII Hong Kong at the time of the Chinese Communist Revolution which saw a massive influx of refugees to HK, while this lavish Hollywood movie attempts to make some points about cultural differences, casual racism, attitudes to women and class snobbery, in truth it's really just a big old-fashioned weepie centring on the relationship between separated American warcorrespondent William Holden and recently widowed, talented and sensitive Eurasian hospital doctor Jennifer Jones. Evocatively filmed in and around Hong Kong, it's a pity the movie is so clunky in parts. Perhaps because she doesn't really look Eurasian (her somewhat bitchy fellow-Eurasian girlfriend even less so), Jones seems to have announce the fact every ten minutes it seems, that's when she's not making sappy speeches about her inner conflict and Confucius-like philosophical pronouncements. I doubt very much she'd have been cast in the part today with the recent controversy about actors taking on ethnic roles over native-born candidates. Holden doesn't get much to do other than to act as her lapdog, hanging on her every word. Even at the beach scene with just the two of them you'd have thought, post "From Here To Eternity", that there might have been a spark of passion between them but no, they simply get into their swimming costumes and swim across to Jones' friends across the bay. In short, I didn't get much sense of their many-splendoured love at all even with the famous song trilling about everywhere before it really lets rip with the full angelic chorus of it in the final scene as Jones returns one last time to their favourite romantic spot above the hill.Certainly beautifully shot, in truth the story is shallow and cliched so that I find I remember more the scenery of the film and that darn song rather than the narrative or characterisation on show.

atlasmb The central theme of this film (based on a true story) is that true love is strong enough to overcome all obstacles. The obstacle in this case is prejudice against those from other cultures. William Holden and Jennifer Jones play the American man and the Eurasian woman who meet in Hong Kong and find love despite the taboos they dare to challenge.The primary problem with this premise is that Jones, by appearance, is not convincingly and consistently Eurasian. She overcomes some of this by her manner and speech.As a fan of Holden, I cannot ignore a comparison with "Picnic", also released in 1955.In both films, Holden is the outsider--a rebellious figure viewed with suspicion, a flaunter of community standards. But in "Picnic", Holden's character must struggle to overcome his own doubts, making the struggle more meaningful and central to his character's development.In both films, there is a musical theme that is strong. In "Picnic", the theme is better used, an actual part of the action that links the two lovers together (through dance).In "Picnic", the love scenes are electric, charged with passion and a hunger for what might be called salvation. In "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing", the kisses are sometimes passionate, sometimes lukewarm, perhaps due to the emotional distance between the two stars, well documented.Though the love story in "Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing" can feel subordinate to the larger story of cultural differences, which is undeniably interesting, in "Picnic" the love story is what every element revolves around.

Juha Sukunimi Such a lovely film, even with all of it's many faults. The script is really really bad, there is not much chemistry between the two leads, and casting Jennifer Jones as Eurasian is just silly and borderline offensive. Yet this is a very entertaining film. The scenery is absolutely beautiful, and seeing the Hong Knong of 1950s is quite fascinating. The decor and clothes are stunning, as is the always handsome William Holden. And of course the theme song is a classic. And yes, I got some tears in my eyes at the end. If you judge it by today's standards it's quite ridiculous, but even though it feels rather fake and unrealistic, it still manages to touch you.

Movie Critic Star enhanced boiler plate love tragedy 1 extra star for location (Hong Kong-1955)The music is too overpowering like in Spanish telenovelas or silent pictures---the theme was still playing in my head a week later.However the music at least took some talent and effort to write, I cannot confer equal compliments on the screen play--Not because it was bad there just wasn't any thing to it. Middle aged news correspondent Holden (38) meets middle aged (Eurasian eeek!!!) woman doctor Jones 37. They take in a few touristic sites together and over the period of ? a week apparently fall deeply in love (there is no development of this). But he is called to Korea (takes place 1949) and is blown up by a bomb!There is a subplot of racism--Jones loses her job because of her hanky panky with Holden--- a PC element it needed for Oscar nomination. Oscars generally require 3 things = good old boy's doing PC gimmicks--in various quantities of each. This one had all 3 Holden aging star---Racism---Filmed in Hong Kong for an added gimmick Jones is a Eurasian with tons of eye makeup.It barely deserves a 5 ... the site shooting is all that kept it clinging and and the song isn't bad just too much with O story.DO NOT RECOMMEND... unless your only alternative is a Jacquiline Suzanne novel.