I Love You Again (1940)

Few on-screen pairings in classic Hollywood can rival the enduring charm and comedic synergy of William Powell and Myrna Loy. In I Love You Again (1940), their 9th collaboration, the duo once again delivers a delightful screwball comedy that deftly blends romance, mistaken identity, and con artistry into a briskly entertaining package. Directed by the ever-efficient W.S. Van Dyke, who helmed their iconic Thin Man films, I Love You Again is a polished and witty showcase for both stars, as well as a clever exploration of the malleability of identity and love.

Plot Summary

The film opens with a seemingly dull and conservative businessman, Larry Wilson (Powell), who has spent the last nine years as a teetotaling pillar of his small community. However, a bump on the head during an ocean voyage knocks loose a buried truth—Larry is, in fact, George Carey, a fast-talking con man who had developed amnesia nearly a decade earlier. Now returned to his former, roguish self, George hatches a plan to loot the local citizens of their investments before disappearing again.

Things get complicated when he discovers that his wife, Kay (Myrna Loy), is planning to divorce him due to his boring personality. Suddenly smitten with her all over again—this time as the rakish George—he finds himself torn between his old swindler's instincts and the desire to win back Kay’s heart under his new-old persona. What follows is a farcical dance of deception, affection, and reawakening, with Powell caught hilariously between two versions of himself.

Performances and Chemistry

William Powell is at his nimble best here, playing dual shades of the same man with wit and subtlety. As Larry, he's all polite stiffness and civic-minded blandness. As George, he's sly, sharp-eyed, and mischievously charismatic. The contrast allows Powell to show off his impeccable timing and mastery of understated comedy.

Myrna Loy, ever elegant and poised, matches him beat for beat. Her Kay is more than just the disillusioned wife; she’s smart, skeptical, and more than capable of holding her own against George’s fast-talking antics. Their scenes together are electric, full of quick-fire dialogue and unspoken affection—proof that their screen magic was no accident. Whether bickering, bantering, or falling back in love, they exude warmth and sophistication.

Frank McHugh, as George’s old con-man sidekick “Doc” Ryan, adds a healthy dose of comic relief. His confusion at George’s double life and his enthusiastic scheming are welcome diversions that keep the pace snappy and the tone buoyant.

Direction and Screenplay

Van Dyke’s direction is characteristically brisk—he was known in the industry as “One-Take Woody”—and he keeps the action flowing without sacrificing emotional nuance. The screenplay, adapted from a novel by Octavus Roy Cohen, is full of screwball hallmarks: fast dialogue, romantic misunderstandings, and double-crosses both real and feigned. While it occasionally skirts the edges of plausibility, the film is so breezily executed and buoyantly performed that its contrivances become part of its charm.

Themes and Tone

I Love You Again plays with the idea of transformation and authenticity. Is George’s con-man self the "real" person, or has the decent, earnest Larry left his mark? Is Kay falling in love again with someone new, or rediscovering what she never truly saw in her husband? The film doesn’t delve too deeply into these psychological questions, but they add a richness under the comedy, making the romance feel more genuine and earned.

Despite the criminal undertones, the tone remains light and affectionate. Even George's schemes are more mischievous than malicious, and there’s never any real doubt that love will win out in the end. The film’s breezy mix of crime caper and romantic comedy feels fresh and inventive even today.

Conclusion

I Love You Again may not be as well-known as the Thin Man series or as daring as other screwball comedies of its era, but it is a thoroughly enjoyable gem. Fuelled by Powell and Loy’s irresistible chemistry and a clever, high-concept premise, it delivers everything a classic romantic comedy should—laughter, intrigue, and a rekindled spark of love. For fans of golden-age Hollywood and sparkling, character-driven wit, this film is a must-see.

Rating:

A delightful, cleverly plotted romp with two of the greatest stars of classic cinema at their peak.