Jane Hurley (Debbie Reynolds), a poor girl, is marrying Ralph (Rod Taylor). They don't want a big, elaborate wedding but her mother Agnes Hurley (Bette Davis) is determined to give it to her--even if it drives her husband Tom (Ernest Borgnine) to bankruptcy.
Purportedly this was made for TV but I have my doubts. Consider the talent--it's based on a play by Paddy Chayefsky and adapted by Gore Vidal, and it has Borgnine, Davis and Barry Fitzgerald who were all movie actors. Also Reynolds and Taylor were rising stars in movies not TV. For whatever reason it was released theatrically.
It's well-directed and has a very beautiful score which is used sparingly (as it should be). But this is strong stuff. Seeing a likable if poor family being torn apart by a wedding is very upsetting. If they had used lesser actors this might have been easier to take but when you have Davis and Borgnine giving their all it's difficult to watch. Borgnine is just great--you feel the man's anger and shame. Davis is fantastic too--she gestures a little bit too much but it's still a powerful performance. And she fakes a very convincing Brooklyn accent. Reynolds isn't that good (except for one scene in the kitchen when she explodes) but she was just starting out. And Barry Fitzgerald had played the lovable Irish uncle once too often when he did this movie.
But there's a great screenplay (of course) and it's shot appropriately in atmospheric black & white. My only big complaint is the ending. It ends on a happy note. On one hand, I liked it--on the other hand, I didn't believe it for a minute. It was great to get a break from all the bleakness, but it rang so false that I couldn't swallow it.
That aside though, this is well worth seeing. I'm giving it a 7.
Purportedly this was made for TV but I have my doubts. Consider the talent--it's based on a play by Paddy Chayefsky and adapted by Gore Vidal, and it has Borgnine, Davis and Barry Fitzgerald who were all movie actors. Also Reynolds and Taylor were rising stars in movies not TV. For whatever reason it was released theatrically.
It's well-directed and has a very beautiful score which is used sparingly (as it should be). But this is strong stuff. Seeing a likable if poor family being torn apart by a wedding is very upsetting. If they had used lesser actors this might have been easier to take but when you have Davis and Borgnine giving their all it's difficult to watch. Borgnine is just great--you feel the man's anger and shame. Davis is fantastic too--she gestures a little bit too much but it's still a powerful performance. And she fakes a very convincing Brooklyn accent. Reynolds isn't that good (except for one scene in the kitchen when she explodes) but she was just starting out. And Barry Fitzgerald had played the lovable Irish uncle once too often when he did this movie.
But there's a great screenplay (of course) and it's shot appropriately in atmospheric black & white. My only big complaint is the ending. It ends on a happy note. On one hand, I liked it--on the other hand, I didn't believe it for a minute. It was great to get a break from all the bleakness, but it rang so false that I couldn't swallow it.
That aside though, this is well worth seeing. I'm giving it a 7.