'Sunrise at Campobello' is an adaptation of the Broadway stage play that was a success back in the day, detailing Franklin D Roosevelt's (one of America's most interesting and prolific presidents) battle with polio. It was very interesting seeing Ralph Bellamy in a very different and more dramatic role to usual, when thinking of Roosevelt Bellamy doesn't automatically come to mind looking at him and his previous roles but there have been plenty that have played against type and done brilliantly.
While not a film that blew me away, though Bellamy's performance did, 'Sunrise at Campobello' is an interesting film and a moving one that does really well at showing Roosevelt's struggles in an accessible way. It may not be a perfect translation from stage to film, but in this regard considering how many films based on stage plays struggled making their source material more cinematic this is a worthy effort that is to be applauded in my view.
It isn't perfect, with its stage origins being betrayed in some static character interaction, some creaky pacing and parts where it gets a bit too theatrical.
Especially in the rather overstretched and meandering last half an hour.
However, a lot is great. Bellamy is extraordinary in an authoritative and deeply felt performance that makes Roosevelt a compellingly real character and not a caricature. Not at least nominating him for an Oscar was a big mistake. Greer Garson, who was nominated, supports him more than ably and sympathetically and the supporting cast are just as on the money. Hume Cronyn being particularly first class. The script is also very intelligent and thoughtful, without being too talky.
Although the storytelling isn't perfect, it does a great job making Roosevelt's struggles with polio and how he copes with it very poignant and inspiring, as a disabled person this aspect resonated with me. It is a well filmed and far from static or overblown looking film, a lot of it being sumptuous. The direction is generally very skilled and the music doesn't come over as melodramatic or stock.
Concluding, well executed and worth seeing for particularly Bellamy. 7/10.
