--- title: "The Philadelphia Story: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-philadelphia-story/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-philadelphia-story" critics_score: 87 critics_reviews: 12 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Philadelphia Story (1940): what the critics said Critics' score 87 from 12 reviews: 12 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are unanimously positive, with praise centred on the chemistry between Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant and James Stewart. Most critics find the dialogue sharp, the romantic complications engaging and the performances finely timed. Hepburn’s charm and authority receive particular attention, alongside Stewart’s cynicism and flirtation. Cukor’s direction is praised for handling the ensemble lightly, while several reviews find vulnerability and melancholy beneath the high-society comedy. The differences are chiefly in enthusiasm rather than verdict, and reservations are specific. Variety finds that abstract discussions slow the middle of an otherwise sophisticated adaptation. The Telegraph flags the opening domestic violence as dated while remaining strongly enthusiastic about the rest. There is also some nuance in how critics read Tracy’s treatment: Slant Magazine stresses her freedom to choose among complicated suitors, rather than seeing her simply as a woman who needs humbling. No review here amounts to a dissent. ## Radio Times — Andrew Collins Rating 5/5. The critic deems it romantic comedy at its most sublime and recommends it over the musical remake. They single out the hand-picked cast, Hepburn buying the rights and Stewart’s class-war cynicism melting away. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-8jh79h/the-philadelphia-story/) ## The Times — Kevin Maher Rating ★★★★★. 10 November 2017. The critic highlights the flawless pedigree, snappy modern dialogue and the star power of Hepburn, Grant and Stewart in this tale of remarriage. The lines and sincerity are especially praised as the film receives a digital restoration release. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/article/the-philadelphia-story-1940-8890k9tkc) ## Empire — Jake Hamilton Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. This re-release of the 1940 romantic comedy proves it still outshines modern films with its zip and drive. The critic singles out the perfect cast, sharp script, and Cukor's peerless direction for praise, highlighting Hepburn's charm and Stewart's standout performance. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/philadelphia-story-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Jeremiah Kipp Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 March 2005. The critic praises the film's rich character dynamics and the chemistry between Hepburn, Grant, and Stewart, highlighting Cukor's subtle direction and the script's depth beneath its comedic surface. He singles out the way the story allows Hepburn's Tracy to choose among complex suitors rather than simply being humbled. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-philadelphia-story/) ## The AV Club — Caroline Siede Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 27 September 2019. The piece celebrates the star chemistry and the film's exploration of vulnerability, pedestals placed on women, and remarriage themes, noting how it humanizes Hepburn's iconic Tracy. It praises the performances (especially Hepburn, Grant, and Stewart) and the blend of comedy with poignant melancholy. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-philadelphia-story-delivered-one-of-the-most-star-s-1838267237) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 12 February 2015. The critic finds the 1940 Cukor comedy utterly beguiling, funny and romantic on re-release. The sparkling performances and voices of Hepburn, Grant and Stewart, along with the witty writing, are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/feb/12/the-philadelphia-story-review-rerelease) ## The New York Times — Bosley Crowther Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 27 December 1940. The critic praises the film as a sleek, witty high-society comedy with sparkling performances from its cast, especially Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart, and Cary Grant. The adaptation from the stage play is celebrated for its elegant dialogue and romantic complications. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1940/12/27/archives/the-screen-a-splendid-cast-adorns-the-screen-version-of-the.html) ## The New Yorker — John C. Mosher Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 21 December 1940. The review highlights Katharine Hepburn's triumphant return to the screen in the title role, noting how she brings charm and gentleness to the sophisticated heiress character. The screenplay adaptation is commended for its neat touches and for allowing the rich ensemble, including the child sister and reporters, to shine. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1940/12/28/1940-12-28-058-tny-cards-000006734) ## The Telegraph — Marc Lee Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). The critic calls it one of the smartest, sassiest and sexiest movies ever, praising the sparkling script and the performances of Hepburn, Grant and Stewart. The opening scene of domestic violence is noted as dated but the rest holds up brilliantly. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/3654092/Must-have-movies-The-Philadelphia-Story-1940.html) ## Time Out — Geoff Andrew Rating 4/5. 13 January 2015. The critic calls the film an evergreen delight with peak performances from the cast. They single out the superb direction, timing, sparkling wit and the flirty erotic tension between Stewart and Hepburn. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-philadelphia-story) ## Variety — Herb Golden Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 26 November 1940. The critic finds the film a slick and sophisticated comedy that mostly succeeds in translating the stage hit to screen, with strong turns from Hepburn and the supporting cast. It notes some mid-film drag from abstract discussions but praises the overall witty dialogue, production values, and Hepburn's commanding presence. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1940/film/reviews/the-philadelphia-story-1200413300/) ## HeyUGuys — Emily Breen Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 15 February 2015. The critic praises this re-release of the classic screwball comedy as still biting and insightful after 74 years. The witty depiction of high society and the chemistry among Hepburn, Stewart and Grant are highlighted as standout elements. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/re-release-philadelphia-story-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-philadelphia-story.md