Lovely and wistful film about a doddering married couple (Robert Donat and Deborah Kerr) who discover new aspects of themselves as a result of being separated for several years while serving in World War II, and then, because of the distance they've grown from one another, doubt that their marriage can survive when they're united. I liked the relationship arc these two characters went on. They begin by lumping their marriage in with everything that was boring and tedious about their former life, and in their minds turn their own stuffiness into something imposed on them by the other. But then they gradually realize that the best attributes of themselves that they only discovered because they were separated can be united to make their marriage stronger than it was before.I don't really know how realistic this film is. I doubt many similar situations would result in the couple reuniting and making a go of it, and think much more often it would end with both people giving up. But it's nice to think stories like this could end this way, and audiences at the time, after having just lived through WWII, surely wanted a happy ending."Vacation from Marriage" brought writer Clemence Dane an Academy Award for Best Original Motion Picture Story in 1946.Grade: A

Sometimes I wish I had grown up in England so I could get a firmer grasp on British sensibility and sense of humor. I tried hard to 'get into' this picture but I did not find it absorbing or particularly interesting. I watched it because it starred two very fine actors in Deborah Kerr and Robert Donat, and they gave it their best, which is a considerable output. Of course, I didn't live through WWII and have no idea of the mindset of those who were so close to it. I experienced no bombings or hid from a blitz and did not have to fight for the very existence of my country and my way of life, but somehow I think it must have been more of an adventure, for lack of a better word. And so, I think I am right when I say this picture would mean more to native-born English than to myself.I thought the post-war scenes in and around the pub were failed attempts at comedy, and that Ann Todd looked lovely in her brief appearance, but I grew up in the States and, truth be told, this movie missed the mark as a compelling narrative for this Yank.

I love the idea behind "Vacation from Marriage". After all, with spouses separated for years during WWII and with so much social upheaval, it's not surprising that marriages were seriously disrupted, strained and often ruined. Yet, oddly, very, very few films talk about it. Off the top of my head, the only other one which addressed this was "The Best Years of Our Lives".The film begins with a married couple (Robert Donat and Deborah Kerr) living very, very ordered and predictable lives together. But because of the war, he is drafted in and she soon volunteers for the service. Due to their experiences, they both slowly evolve in unexpected directions. And, the more they change, the more they both start to wonder if the marriage can stand these changes. After all, neither wants to go back to their old, dull lives. Yet, because they haven't seen each other in three years, neither is sure how to address this when they meet. Overall, it's a very well acted film--with lovely writing and adept direction. Well worth seeing.By the way, at one point in the movie Robert Donat's character is talking with Ann Todd and she talks about explorers. She then says that Captain John Smith married Pocahontas. As a retired history teacher, I cringed, as she married John Rolfe. In fact, according to some accounts, she couldn't stand Smith!

Robert Donat and Deborah Kerr playing together .Nuff said.Even if the movie were abysmal ,it would be worth a look.But abysmal it is not;it's good,nay splendid.At the beginning of the movie ,none of the principals is attractive: Robert looks like an old maid (his wife dixit) ,his nine-to-five world in an office made his life a humdrum life.Catherine never makes up (when Glynis Johns advises her to put lipsticks ,whe is confused: "my husband would not like me to");when Robert shows her photograph to his military pals,they are polite when they say she is discreet,reserved.Both join the navy ,and WW2 turns two ugly ducklings into two beautiful swans :Robert looks great in his uniform and Catherine has learned to show herself off to advantage.But they find strangers in their place.London has to be rebuilt and they have to rebuild their life.Recommended