This movie is a mess. It is badly edited and directed; scenes go on and on with little effectiveness. The whole thing is overlong, very predictable with stock characters (cynic meets heart of gold)and poor exposition. Newman and Woodward have great chemistry, however...if you have the patience.
I suspect that the novel or story itself is to blame, as the survey business if poorly developed with odd tricks, like money that is never explained. Tony Perkins uses his familiar tricks and tics in his performance, but here it is over-the-top and just embarrassing. Leachman's character is well conceived and played, but the symbolism of her disability is wasted (if it exists). Her character is the best written, actually... I wish I had liked the movie more, as I usually love Newman and Woodward. But this is hopeless.
I suspect that the novel or story itself is to blame, as the survey business if poorly developed with odd tricks, like money that is never explained. Tony Perkins uses his familiar tricks and tics in his performance, but here it is over-the-top and just embarrassing. Leachman's character is well conceived and played, but the symbolism of her disability is wasted (if it exists). Her character is the best written, actually... I wish I had liked the movie more, as I usually love Newman and Woodward. But this is hopeless.