Overview
A passionate violinist's pursuit of success leads him into a tumultuous love affair that threatens everything he holds dear.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- melancholic
- passionate
- oppressive
- classic film night
- romantic drama night
What critics said
Critics broadly admire the music and Joan Crawford’s performance while finding the central romance excessively mawkish and emotionally overstated.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Helen and Paul’s affair threatens both his concert career and their lives, while opposing family and romantic ties intensify the damage.
Helen becomes Paul’s benefactress and helps him overcome the connections barrier separating working-class talent from elite concert success.
Paul’s working-class background conflicts with the elite concert world and Helen’s affluent social circle.
The violin-centered performances and soul-tearing classical score carry much of the film’s emotional expression.
Films like Humoresque, and why
Now, Voyager
melodramatic romance, social class tension, and destructive desire in classical Hollywood style
Mildred Pierce
tragic romantic melodrama centered on an emotionally damaged woman and impossible love
The Red Shoes
music-centered drama where artistic ambition and romantic fixation collide
Brief Encounter
intense postwar romance shaped by emotional repression, status, and sacrifice
Movie Details
- Director
- Jean Negulesco
- Release Date
- 1947-01-25
- Runtime
- 125 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (74)
Cast
- Joan Crawford
- John Garfield
- Oscar Levant
- J. Carrol Naish
- Joan Chandler
- Tom D'Andrea
- Peggy Knudsen
- Ruth Nelson
- Craig Stevens
- Paul Cavanagh
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Humoresque about?
- A gifted violinist’s ascent into the concert world becomes inseparable from a consuming affair with the wealthy, alcoholic patron who makes his success possible.
- What is Humoresque like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Humoresque as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Humoresque violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Humoresque.
- What did critics think of Humoresque?
- Critics broadly admire the music and Joan Crawford’s performance while finding the central romance excessively mawkish and emotionally overstated.
- Which films are like Humoresque?
- Films with a similar feel include Now, Voyager, Mildred Pierce, The Red Shoes, and Brief Encounter.
- How long is Humoresque?
- Humoresque runs 125 minutes.
- Where can I watch Humoresque?
- In United States, Humoresque is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
