Jean Simmons in the type of part that Geraldine Page and Elizabeth Taylor would have thrived in. A frustrated married woman who doesn't know what she wants out of life.
The flashback technique used in this film is interesting because the latter comes at pivotal parts of the picture.
John Forsythe is terribly miscast here. You needed more of a Gregory Peck or Kirk Douglas type as the husband who doesn't know what has gone wrong with their 16 year marriage.
It is made to appear that the happiness ended when the marriage started.
We have a very interesting supporting cast here. Comedians Nanette Fabray and Dick Shawn are cast in rather serious parts. As the maid, Fabray does come up with one hilarious line in the film: "If sex were the most important thing, rabbits would rule the world!"
Bobby Darin shines briefly as the false gigolo who seems to come down to earth only to resort to his previous ways.
Shirley Jones, who co-starred with Simmons in "Elmer Gantry," is back again. Remember how everyone was surprised when the usual wholesome Jones copped a supporting Oscar as a tramp in 'Gantry?' Well, she is back at it again as Flo, but this time she is college educated as she vamps her way with married businessman Lloyd Bridges. Suddenly, they're getting married. It is the announcement of her impending nuptials that drives Simmons back home after she had fled from her husband and ran off to an ideal Eden.
The film also marked the return to the screen of Teresa Wright, who plays Simmons's conventional mother. When Simmons tries to kill herself by taking 28 pills, Wright assures everyone that it was just an accident.
The ending of the film may have been considered by many to be abrupt, but he who hesitates is lost. The appropriate Michel Le Grand masterpiece What Are You Doing the Rest of Your life? is sung at least twice in the film. Windmills of Your Mind, LeGrand's Oscar nominated film, the year before, is also played. Only Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head from "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" could have beaten out "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life." The title alone is so appropriate to Jean Simmons's conflicted role here as the Denver housewife. What I didn't like here... The Simmons character reminded me so much of Julie Christie's Oscar winning role in "Darling." Both women basically just didn't know what they wanted. These emotional pitfalls can become quite dull on occasion.
The film is a reflection of a lost generation of the 1960s.
The flashback technique used in this film is interesting because the latter comes at pivotal parts of the picture.
John Forsythe is terribly miscast here. You needed more of a Gregory Peck or Kirk Douglas type as the husband who doesn't know what has gone wrong with their 16 year marriage.
It is made to appear that the happiness ended when the marriage started.
We have a very interesting supporting cast here. Comedians Nanette Fabray and Dick Shawn are cast in rather serious parts. As the maid, Fabray does come up with one hilarious line in the film: "If sex were the most important thing, rabbits would rule the world!"
Bobby Darin shines briefly as the false gigolo who seems to come down to earth only to resort to his previous ways.
Shirley Jones, who co-starred with Simmons in "Elmer Gantry," is back again. Remember how everyone was surprised when the usual wholesome Jones copped a supporting Oscar as a tramp in 'Gantry?' Well, she is back at it again as Flo, but this time she is college educated as she vamps her way with married businessman Lloyd Bridges. Suddenly, they're getting married. It is the announcement of her impending nuptials that drives Simmons back home after she had fled from her husband and ran off to an ideal Eden.
The film also marked the return to the screen of Teresa Wright, who plays Simmons's conventional mother. When Simmons tries to kill herself by taking 28 pills, Wright assures everyone that it was just an accident.
The ending of the film may have been considered by many to be abrupt, but he who hesitates is lost. The appropriate Michel Le Grand masterpiece What Are You Doing the Rest of Your life? is sung at least twice in the film. Windmills of Your Mind, LeGrand's Oscar nominated film, the year before, is also played. Only Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head from "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" could have beaten out "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life." The title alone is so appropriate to Jean Simmons's conflicted role here as the Denver housewife. What I didn't like here... The Simmons character reminded me so much of Julie Christie's Oscar winning role in "Darling." Both women basically just didn't know what they wanted. These emotional pitfalls can become quite dull on occasion.
The film is a reflection of a lost generation of the 1960s.