Great performances from both Jackie Gleason and Steve McQueen makes this light drama quite memorable in spite of the fact that there's really little story outside their male bonding. Gleason tones down his bombasity, as he would do with "Gigot" and "Papa's Delicate Condition", playing quite a gentle man, an army sergeant who is the most unlikely of all army sergeants.
He's there like a big brother for the possibly not so bright character that McQueen plays, and the film shows how their friendship benefits each other in ways they didn't expect. Tuesday Weld scores high in a major supporting role, at first stereotypical as a teen sex kitten whose insecurity comes pouring out when she believes that the heavyset Gleason has rejected her.
In that very powerful scene, he has seemingly dumped her, claiming she's not his type, and she goes off on him with predictable insults, eventually breaking down as she reveals how the rejection has affected her. He gets to explain his point of view too, bullied as a kid for his weight, and there's not an ounce of Ralph Kramden in this character. Definitely one of the best things that Gleason has ever done, and nicely directed by Blake Edwards.
He's there like a big brother for the possibly not so bright character that McQueen plays, and the film shows how their friendship benefits each other in ways they didn't expect. Tuesday Weld scores high in a major supporting role, at first stereotypical as a teen sex kitten whose insecurity comes pouring out when she believes that the heavyset Gleason has rejected her.
In that very powerful scene, he has seemingly dumped her, claiming she's not his type, and she goes off on him with predictable insults, eventually breaking down as she reveals how the rejection has affected her. He gets to explain his point of view too, bullied as a kid for his weight, and there's not an ounce of Ralph Kramden in this character. Definitely one of the best things that Gleason has ever done, and nicely directed by Blake Edwards.