Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

The Awful Truth

Play trailer Poster for The Awful Truth Released Oct 21, 1937 1h 32m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 34 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Jerry (Cary Grant) and Lucy (Irene Dunne) are a married couple who doubt each other's fidelity: Jerry suspects Lucy and her music teacher (Alexander D'Arcy) of spending an evening together, and Lucy is convinced Jerry lied about a business trip. When the jealous pair file for divorce, both rush into new relationships, but quickly realize their love never died. The soon-to-be-divorced husband and wife then both scramble to spoil each other's chances for newfound romance.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

The Awful Truth

The Awful Truth

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Great comic direction by Leo McCarrey and memorable onscreen chemistry from stars Cary Grant and Irene Dunne make this screwball comedy a charmer.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (34) Critics Reviews
Otis Ferguson The New Republic It is quite grown up, and even the hotter passions are endured with consideration and suavity; at the same time it has an innocent zest for the homely that makes you think back to Capra again. May 7, 2024 Full Review Michael Phillips Chicago Tribune This is Grant's first truly remarkable performance, morphing a romantic leading man into a suave, impish clown. Apr 12, 2018 Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Leo McCarey's largely improvised 1937 film is one of the funniest of the screwball comedies, and also one of the most serious at heart. May 27, 2008 Full Review Sue Heal Radio Times This is a wonderful example of Cary Grant at his screwball comic best, playing one half of a sniping, divorcing couple who trade insults like gunfire and seek to spoil each other's future plans. Rated: 5/5 May 30, 2024 Full Review Dave Giannini InSession Film Among the many things to love about The Awful Truth is that it never takes it easy on the protagonists. Many romances are simply aching to get their lovers together, for good reason, but because of this, they take shortcuts to make the audience happy. Feb 20, 2024 Full Review Zita Short InSession Film All of the pieces function on their own but they never add up to anything great. Grant and Dunne are mismatched as a romantic pair, to be quite frank... Feb 1, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (468) audience reviews
Mark B This is one of the funniest movies I have seen in a long time. The chemistry of Cary Grant and Irene Dunn is fantastic. I had such a great time watching this movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/09/24 Full Review Mark B This film has really held up. It's hard to believe it's over 85 years old. The characters have almost no development or backstory -- we don't know how Cary Grant's Jerry Warriner got wealthy, nor do we really care, because Grant and Dunne have such tangible screen chemistry, and we just follow along. (#444 in my "watch all Best Picture Nominees" bucket list) Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/23/24 Full Review Blu B A Classic screwball Rom-Com. Really very well made all around with a lot of wit, charm, and some suprisingly solid humor that holds up overall. Grant has a suprising knack for really good slapstick. The only real issues is that for most of the runtime there isn't much music outside of a few song numbers which are real good when used but it does have a bit of a dry feel most of the time. Also while it's clever, funny, and shot well it can be a bit on the basic side and probably would look better in color. The script can get a little confusing at times also but it works nicely overall and moves at a fast pace. I would also say most of the humor gets a chuckle oris over my head here and there at times and can be a bit surface level at times also. The ending is predictable also, but it's so well done it really isn't a big deal. Besides being a little rough around the edges this is really good. I would say anyone who is a fan of any actors in this, the director, screwball's, or Rom-Com's in particular would like this a lot. I think casual comedy fans may struggle a bit with this at times given the roughness at times. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/26/23 Full Review Mike F The original and still one of the all time best romantic comedies Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/25/23 Full Review Sarah D Another one of those movies that just makes you feel good all over. Irene Dunne and Cary Grant - what an awesome match. Ralph Bellamy makes it that much better. Don't forget Skippy who also appears as Asta in all the Thin Man Movies. Top comedy!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/27/24 Full Review keith w Absolutely one of the top twenty finest movies of all time; exquisite casting, acting, scripting, production values, producing and direction. Ranks alongside The Lady Eve as the two best screwball comedies ever made. A joy to behold with Grant and Dunne excelling with great gusto and manifesting the full repertoire of their exceptional talents. A total, utter, pleasure, from beginning to end. Extremely recommended; *****plus! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Awful Truth

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town 91% 86% Mr. Deeds Goes to Town Watchlist My Sister Eileen 80% 65% My Sister Eileen Watchlist The Talk of the Town 88% 85% The Talk of the Town Watchlist Twentieth Century 86% 75% Twentieth Century Watchlist Angels Over Broadway 67% 49% Angels Over Broadway Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Jerry (Cary Grant) and Lucy (Irene Dunne) are a married couple who doubt each other's fidelity: Jerry suspects Lucy and her music teacher (Alexander D'Arcy) of spending an evening together, and Lucy is convinced Jerry lied about a business trip. When the jealous pair file for divorce, both rush into new relationships, but quickly realize their love never died. The soon-to-be-divorced husband and wife then both scramble to spoil each other's chances for newfound romance.
Director
Leo McCarey
Producer
Leo McCarey
Screenwriter
Viña Delmar, Arthur Richman, Sidney Buchman
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 21, 1937, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Runtime
1h 32m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
Most Popular at Home Now