Pursuits of Happiness: The Hollywood Comedy of Remarriage

Pursuits of Happiness examines seven classic Hollywood romantic comedies from the 1930s and 1940s, including The Lady Eve, The Philadelphia Story, and His Girl Friday. The book introduces the concept of the "comedy of remarriage" - films where a divorced or soon-to-be-divorced couple finds their way back to each other. Philosopher Stanley Cavell analyzes these films through multiple lenses: their dialogue patterns, visual motifs, and connections to Shakespearean comedy. He traces recurring elements across the films, from the presence of a "green world" escape setting to the education and transformation of the main characters. The work connects these Hollywood classics to deeper philosophical questions about marriage, identity, and the American pursuit of happiness. Through close readings of key scenes and character dynamics, Cavell presents these seemingly light romantic comedies as sophisticated explorations of gender roles, moral development, and the nature of love itself.

Readers praise Cavell's analysis of 1930s-40s comedies through a philosophical lens, connecting themes of marriage to broader ideas about morality and human nature. Many note his detailed examination of how these films portray the evolution of relationships. Positive comments highlight: - Deep connections drawn between philosophy and popular culture - Fresh perspective on films often dismissed as light entertainment - Thorough analysis of dialogue and character development Common criticisms: - Dense, academic writing style difficult for casual readers - Repetitive arguments - Over-intellectualizes simple romantic comedies - Limited focus on only seven films One reviewer notes: "Cavell takes 20 pages to make points that could be made in two." Another states: "Changed how I view these films, but the prose is exhausting." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (156 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (21 ratings) Library Thing: 4.0/5 (48 ratings)

The Power of Movies by Colin McGinn A philosophical examination of how films create meaning through visual storytelling, language, and psychological engagement with viewers.

Marriage, Movies and Miracles by Thomas Wartenberg An analysis of marriage in classic Hollywood films through the lens of social philosophy and gender dynamics.

Philosophy Through Film by Mary Litch and Amy Karofsky A systematic exploration of philosophical concepts through close readings of films, including themes of love, marriage, and human relationships.

Film as Philosophy by Bernd Herzogenrath A collection of essays examining how films function as vehicles for philosophical thought and inquiry about human relationships and social institutions.

Movies and the Meaning of Life by Kimberly Blessing and Paul Tudico An investigation of philosophical themes in popular films, including love, marriage, and divorce, through various philosophical frameworks and methodologies.

🎬 The book examines seven classic romantic comedies from the 1930s and '40s, including "The Philadelphia Story" and "His Girl Friday," coining the term "comedy of remarriage" as a distinct film genre. 📚 Stanley Cavell was a Harvard philosophy professor who uniquely bridged the gap between Hollywood films and philosophical discourse, drawing parallels between these comedies and Shakespearean romances. 💑 Unlike traditional romantic comedies, remarriage comedies focus on couples who are already married or previously divorced, exploring themes of personal growth and mutual education rather than initial courtship. 🎭 Cavell connects these films to the American transcendentalist tradition, particularly the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, suggesting they represent a distinctly American philosophical perspective. 🌟 The book argues that these films, made during the Great Depression and World War II, offered Americans a way to reimagine marriage as a partnership based on equality and mutual respect, rather than traditional patriarchal structures.