Like almost every Hollywood biopic of a musical figure, A Song to Remember raises the question, "Why did they bother to claim it was based on a real person?" Even by Hollywood standards, the liberties taken with reality are excessive. Audiences at the time didn't care, flocking to see a picture with a love story tinged with patriotism (albeit of a foreign sort). Modern viewers may not be so willing to forgive, not because they resent the historical inaccuracies, but because the newly created story is dreary, cliché, and unconvincing -- and is not helped by the dialogue containing its share of unintentional howlers. Still, A Song to Remember has its delights, chief among them is the gorgeous Chopin music, which is presented in easily accessible but still enjoyable doses. The hardy Cornel Wilde never comes across as sickly, but he turns in a surprisingly good performance, especially considering the quality of the material with which he must frequently work. He and Merle Oberon also make an especially attractive pair, and they are set off in a glorious production that doesn't stint on color or design. Paul Muni's performance is a bit strange, but also somehow endearing, and Charles Vidor's direction is smooth and efficient. Indeed, if the viewer is willing to set aside the screenplay, there's a great deal to enjoy in A Song to Remember.