Joan Crawford has never been one of the most beautiful actresses, but she has a presence on the screen that is truly captivating. By the 1940s she was playing the spurned lover-type characters, and here is no different. She plays Daisy, a woman in love with a married man named Dan who although unhappy with his wife, has no intention of divorcing her to marry Daisy. He hasn't told Daisy this however, and she clings on to the idea of the relationship, despite the attentions of a new man in her life who is single and willing to give her everything. Henry Fonda was a bit of a wet lettuce in my opinion and doesn't add any credibility to the film. He may as well not be there. Dana Andrews on the other hand is far too cocky and big-headed, swaggering about whilst juggling two women at the same time, making the audience resent him immediately. It is clear that Daisy Kenyon cannot function on her own without a man, having been with one for so long before, and this even begins to impact her relationship with her two sons who cannot understand why she hangs on the phone to a man who isn't that interested in her and won't commit to the 'nice' man who is obviously in love with her.
All in all the three characters make mistakes constantly throughout the film, and none of their actions appear to be the result of rational thinking. I can't honestly say that I liked or felt empathy for any of them.
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