TEHRAN- “Leave Her to Heaven”, a 1945 movie by American film director John M. Stahl will be reviewed during a session at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Wednesday afternoon. 

Film critics Kurosh Jahed and Amir Qaderi will attend a screening of the film followed by a review session.

"Leave Her to Heaven" is based on the 1943 novel of the same name by Ben Ames Williams. The movie follows the story of Ellen Berent (played by Gene Tierney), a beautiful and alluring woman who marries a novelist, Richard Harland (played by Cornel Wilde), on a whim.

As their marriage progresses, it becomes clear that Ellen is possessive and controlling, using her charm and beauty to manipulate Richard and keep him from leaving her. She becomes obsessed with their marriage, and her behavior becomes increasingly erratic and erratic. Richard, who is initially swept up in his love for Ellen, begins to feel trapped and suffocated by her behavior. He tries to talk to her about his concerns, but she is unable or unwilling to listen.

Meanwhile, Ellen's brother, Russell (played by Darryl Hickman), becomes increasingly concerned about his sister's actions and warns Richard about her true nature. However, Ellen's manipulation is so strong that Richard is unable to break free from her grasp. He becomes increasingly unhinged and begins to question his own sanity. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Ellen is hiding secrets from her past, including a tragic event that has left her emotionally scarred.

As the tension builds, Richard becomes trapped in a web of deceit and obsession. He is unable to escape Ellen's grasp, and she uses her beauty and charm to keep him captive. In the end, it is revealed that Ellen has been hiding a dark secret: she is dying from a terminal illness, and she has been using her husband's love to fuel her own selfish desires. The film ends with Richard's tragic realization of Ellen's true nature, and he is left to pick up the pieces of his shattered life.

Throughout the film, director John M. Stahl uses a combination of shadowy lighting, expressionistic cinematography, and a haunting score to create a sense of foreboding and unease. The film's visual style is reminiscent of classic German Expressionism, with its use of distorted perspectives and eerie lighting. Gene Tierney's performance as Ellen is particularly striking, as she brings depth and complexity to the character. "Leave Her to Heaven" is a classic film noir that explores themes of obsession, manipulation, and the destructive power of unchecked emotions.

John M. Stahl was an American film director who was active in the industry from the 1920s to the 1950s. Born in 1886 in New York, Stahl began his career in the film industry as a screenwriter and editor, working on silent films such as "The Greatest Thing in Life" (1926) and "The Patent Leather Kid" (1927). 

He transitioned to directing in the early 1930s, and quickly established himself as a skilled and versatile director. Stahl worked on a wide range of films, including romantic comedies, dramas, and film noir, and was particularly known for his ability to elicit strong performances from his actors. Some of his most notable films include "Only Yesterday" (1933), "Imitation of Life" (1934), and "Leave Her to Heaven" (1945). Stahl's direction was often praised for its sensitivity and nuance, and he was regarded as one of the top directors of his era. Despite his success, Stahl's career slowed down in the 1950s, and he died in 1950 at the age of 64.

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