Topol's horrible 70s outfits aren't the only dated items in this movie. The biggest is the plot: stuffy husband must learn to loosen up to please free-spirit younger wife. Ho-hum, haven't we seen that a hundred times? And can't we see the ending coming about 30 minutes into the film? The acting is fine enough: Mia Farrow is the right type for the waif/wife, Michael Jayston is suitably stuffy as the husband. Topol seems an odd choice to play a Greek detective, except for the fact that he was a hot property right after FIDDLER and casting directors assume that all Mediterraneans look the same.
John Barry's score is one of his worst. The theme is tepid and sung by what sounds like bad karaoke singers. The whole production suffers from being a very talky play "opened up" for the screen. What this means is sitting through long dialog scenes occasionally spiced up by long London montages (which are fun to watch for the scenery value).
Of special interest is seeing an under-40 Annette Crosbie in a bit part, and in a WEE little bit part, Ann Way (playing a ticket taker). She was a regular on RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY as Mrs. Rumpole's friend Dodo Mackintosh.
John Barry's score is one of his worst. The theme is tepid and sung by what sounds like bad karaoke singers. The whole production suffers from being a very talky play "opened up" for the screen. What this means is sitting through long dialog scenes occasionally spiced up by long London montages (which are fun to watch for the scenery value).
Of special interest is seeing an under-40 Annette Crosbie in a bit part, and in a WEE little bit part, Ann Way (playing a ticket taker). She was a regular on RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY as Mrs. Rumpole's friend Dodo Mackintosh.