Joanne Woodward fights every step of the way to give a memorable performance despite director Gil Cates's almost painfully middlebrow instincts. She plays a woman having a midlife crisis of sorts, and while part of me was tempted not to give a flying fig about this privileged woman's mommy issues, another part of me is always fascinated by narratives about people having emotional crises, and I enjoyed watching how this one played out.
Martin Balsam gives a good performance as Woodward's husband, and his character provides much needed ballast to her self-pitying angst. He came through WWII a haunted man but decided to use his experience to bring a positive outlook to the rest of his life, taking nothing for granted, and it's his perspective that finally provides the kick in the pants Woodward needs to get over herself and move on.
Woodward received the third of four career Oscar nominations for her performance, while Sylvia Sidney, as her mom, was nominated in the Supporting Actress category. She's fun enough to watch while she's in the film, but I'm not sure that five or so total minutes of screen time really warranted an Oscar nomination. Though there is a very funny and memorable scene of the two of them bickering about lemons.
And am I the only one who was struck by how much Woodward resembles Geraldine Page, both in looks and manner, in this movie? You really could have replaced her with Page and not even noticed the difference.
Grade: B-
Martin Balsam gives a good performance as Woodward's husband, and his character provides much needed ballast to her self-pitying angst. He came through WWII a haunted man but decided to use his experience to bring a positive outlook to the rest of his life, taking nothing for granted, and it's his perspective that finally provides the kick in the pants Woodward needs to get over herself and move on.
Woodward received the third of four career Oscar nominations for her performance, while Sylvia Sidney, as her mom, was nominated in the Supporting Actress category. She's fun enough to watch while she's in the film, but I'm not sure that five or so total minutes of screen time really warranted an Oscar nomination. Though there is a very funny and memorable scene of the two of them bickering about lemons.
And am I the only one who was struck by how much Woodward resembles Geraldine Page, both in looks and manner, in this movie? You really could have replaced her with Page and not even noticed the difference.
Grade: B-