I can pretty much guarantee that "Career" is not a film for everyone. It has a dark undercurrent and grittiness that many will find a bit depressing. But, if you appreciate excellent acting and the realism this film can offer, you'll enjoy the film.
Tony Franciosa plays an aspiring young actor. He's convinced his fiancée to wait back home for him--he's headed to New York to make it on Broadway. However, after a year of nothing but disappointments, his girl cannot wait--and she comes to New York. They marry but his career remains stalled. Eventually, the marriage begins to suffer, as Franciosa is even more devoted to his pursuit of fame than his is to his wife. They divorce and slowly you see Franciosa to change. He had been determined and idealistic, but now he begins to lose this--and sees his chance by marrying a drunk (Shirley MacLaine)--but this, too, ends in disappointment. Through all this is a bizarre friendship with Maury (Dean Martin)--a guy who is a life-long pal one minute and stabbing you in the back the next. MUCH more occurs on Franciosa's long and slow road to success--including a stint in Korea and a blacklisting. But, through all this, Franciosa remains determined to become a star.
Three folks really stood out for me in this film. Franciosa and Martin were exceptional and strong leads. Carolyn Jones, however, in a smaller part was really good--really good. Overall, the film is dark, gritty and a wonderful fairy tale of a man practically selling his soul and losing himself--all for fame.
If you liked Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis in "The Sweet Smell of Success", then it's a good bet you'll enjoy "Career". The two films have a lot of similarities and would make a great double-feature.
Tony Franciosa plays an aspiring young actor. He's convinced his fiancée to wait back home for him--he's headed to New York to make it on Broadway. However, after a year of nothing but disappointments, his girl cannot wait--and she comes to New York. They marry but his career remains stalled. Eventually, the marriage begins to suffer, as Franciosa is even more devoted to his pursuit of fame than his is to his wife. They divorce and slowly you see Franciosa to change. He had been determined and idealistic, but now he begins to lose this--and sees his chance by marrying a drunk (Shirley MacLaine)--but this, too, ends in disappointment. Through all this is a bizarre friendship with Maury (Dean Martin)--a guy who is a life-long pal one minute and stabbing you in the back the next. MUCH more occurs on Franciosa's long and slow road to success--including a stint in Korea and a blacklisting. But, through all this, Franciosa remains determined to become a star.
Three folks really stood out for me in this film. Franciosa and Martin were exceptional and strong leads. Carolyn Jones, however, in a smaller part was really good--really good. Overall, the film is dark, gritty and a wonderful fairy tale of a man practically selling his soul and losing himself--all for fame.
If you liked Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis in "The Sweet Smell of Success", then it's a good bet you'll enjoy "Career". The two films have a lot of similarities and would make a great double-feature.