She was on stage in the late 20's, made her film debut in 1932, with him on screen for the first time four years later. She was a star from the get go. He took over a decade to move out of ethnic villain roles and into heroic leads. Yet there is something about Katharine Hepburn and Anthony Quinn here that makes you feel like they've known each other for decades the chemistry is just right. Or perhaps I'm just an old softie for two stars whose work I've always enjoyed, having seen Quinn on stage in the musical "Zorba" and realizing how "Life Is" never over for people their age as long as their minds remember romance and continue to smile when they remember that.
Chauffer Jason Bateman finds his life turned upside down when she is aghast he's not up with her before dawn. But he finds out a lot about her likes and dislikes through their daily jaunts and when she runs into former lover Quinn at a museum, it's an explosion heard all over the town. Their reunion has been arranged by the pretty Jami Gertz who has a personal connection to Quinn and is more than just a bit attracted to the constantly grinning Bateman.
This film has many different references to Quinn and Hepburn's actual careers with some references twisted that anyone familiar with their careers will pick up. Both actors still had a lot of fire in the furnace, and Hepburn shows off her physical strength in several comical scenes. She even gets a great scene discussing a film she made with John Wayne with a horse no less!
Certainly the film is very gimmicky but fun, topped off in a jail cell that Hepburn shares with two prostitutes. The housekeeper played by Maxine Miller is a great supporting character with a light shining off of her that even Hepburn can't diminish in their scenes together. This is a lot of fun if you put the unbelievable situation behind and just enjoy it for the two stars. After all, how many times do you see an 87 year old woman being picked up by an 80 year old man and carried out while she swats at him?
Chauffer Jason Bateman finds his life turned upside down when she is aghast he's not up with her before dawn. But he finds out a lot about her likes and dislikes through their daily jaunts and when she runs into former lover Quinn at a museum, it's an explosion heard all over the town. Their reunion has been arranged by the pretty Jami Gertz who has a personal connection to Quinn and is more than just a bit attracted to the constantly grinning Bateman.
This film has many different references to Quinn and Hepburn's actual careers with some references twisted that anyone familiar with their careers will pick up. Both actors still had a lot of fire in the furnace, and Hepburn shows off her physical strength in several comical scenes. She even gets a great scene discussing a film she made with John Wayne with a horse no less!
Certainly the film is very gimmicky but fun, topped off in a jail cell that Hepburn shares with two prostitutes. The housekeeper played by Maxine Miller is a great supporting character with a light shining off of her that even Hepburn can't diminish in their scenes together. This is a lot of fun if you put the unbelievable situation behind and just enjoy it for the two stars. After all, how many times do you see an 87 year old woman being picked up by an 80 year old man and carried out while she swats at him?