As long as the "surprise" ending of the plot remains a mystery, this drama holds up well. The suspense is sustained and character motivations proceed effectively.
Jean Simmons offers a most heartfelt performance, and Dirk Bogarde provides ample support. Likewise the various cast of characters are all most finely etched.
However, after one has seen the full film and knows the surprise ending, certain features of the drama become questionable. The hot air balloon accident at the fair seems no more than a writer's unworthy trick to add a deceiving twist to the search. Also one gets the impression that the brother's ailment is unique; surely there must have been at least a few more similar cases.
So, in the end, we can enjoy the ride of this unusual drama right to the finish, and appreciate its ingenuity--that is, as long as we don't get too close and analytical.
The entire cast and production are uniformly strong.
Jean Simmons offers a most heartfelt performance, and Dirk Bogarde provides ample support. Likewise the various cast of characters are all most finely etched.
However, after one has seen the full film and knows the surprise ending, certain features of the drama become questionable. The hot air balloon accident at the fair seems no more than a writer's unworthy trick to add a deceiving twist to the search. Also one gets the impression that the brother's ailment is unique; surely there must have been at least a few more similar cases.
So, in the end, we can enjoy the ride of this unusual drama right to the finish, and appreciate its ingenuity--that is, as long as we don't get too close and analytical.
The entire cast and production are uniformly strong.