There's an aching melancholy beneath the surface of Ah, Wilderness!, the wistful and charming, if not completely successful adaptation of the Eugene O'Neill comedy. Director Clarence Brown has unfortunately coddled the material a bit much, with the result that some of the acerbic edges have been softened in favor of a nostalgic glow, and -- despite a pretty terrific sequence involving Richard's run-in with a looser member of the fair sex -- has applied a patina of good taste that dampens some of the fun. The material itself has also dated somewhat, most damagingly in terms of Uncle Sid's "amusing" alcoholism; many will also find the Miller family a tad too enthusiastically wholesome. These caveats aside, there's still a good deal to enjoy here, especially in the performances of a nicely understated Lionel Barrymore, a sensitive Spring Byington, and a moving Aline MacMahon. Eric Linden is not quite up to carrying as much of the film as he is called upon to do, but overall he's fine and acquits himself respectfully. As the younger brother, Mickey Rooney goes a bit overboard, but he's more than bearable. As befits an MGM film of the era, production values are top-notch. If Wilderness could stand a little more wildness, it's still an entertaining and touching little film.
