"Come Back, Little Sheba" is a picture that will sneak up on you as you watch it. At first, it seems a bit mundane---perhaps even a bit dull. And, you'll most likely become annoyed with the wife. However, as the film slowly unfolds you suddenly see that it is brilliant--brilliantly written as well as acted.
Shirley Booth received an Oscar for her performance of a dowdy and not particularly interesting or effective housewife. In essence, she is a sloppy and particularly unattractive woman. The handsome Burt Lancaster (wearing makeup and playing a much older man than he really was) is married to this woman--and down deep this loveless marriage to a sad and rather annoying woman is eating him alive. He maintains a placid demeanor--stuffing his anger and resentment down deep as he consumes antacids and complains of stomachaches. He also is a recovering alcoholic who is on edge--and appears setting himself up to drink again. It's a living hell for him, as he is silently bitter about being forced to marry Booth decades before when she became pregnant. The fact that she subsequently lost the baby and is unable to have more doesn't make things any better. Booth's way to cope with this sad marriage is through her dog, Sheba, but since the dog has disappeared, the loneliness of their marriage has become more apparent. It also becomes more apparent when they take in a young boarder (Terry Moore), as she's young, vivacious and has an active and happy love life. All these factors (and more) work together to create a very sad and realistic portrait.
It's obvious that the writers knew a lot about psychology and alcoholism--and this is why I love this film. Not only are the characters wonderfully real, but they are realized correctly--and they definitely get the little details right. For example, it's one of the best films when it comes to alcoholism. Why this man drinks is fascinating--it's not just because he likes the booze, but it's to temporarily escape this awful life--something rarely talked about in films. It's also very interesting how all his hidden rage is released when he drinks--a year of pent-up anger comes exploding from him. Also, the way his sobriety and AA are shown is exceptional--it's a lot more realistic than the more famous (and overrated) "Lost Weekend" (which has a ridiculously upbeat ending). They show an open meeting, talk about the 12 Steps, the Serenity Prayer and the job of AA sponsors.
What's more fascinating for me are the psychological elements--and the writers clearly were putting in a lot of analytic psychology and symbolism. The juxtaposition of Moore's happy life to theirs is symbolic of the emptiness of the couple. It's also creepy and symbolic how this sick couple refer to each other as 'Baby' and 'Daddy'--especially since they cannot have kids. But what really made me excited was listening to Booth's dream at the end of the film--it was chocked full of Freudian symbolism and showed they knew a lot about the psyche. Booth's dream was symbolic of so much--you could listen to it and interpret the meanings at great, great length.
Aside from the exceptional writing, there are some other things to note. Moore is very sexual throughout the film--she is not some stereotypically nice college student but seethes with sexual desires--something very rare in 1950s films and not really seen much until the late 1960s. This helps the story a lot since Booth and Lancaster completely lack this element in their marriage. Also, I loved the acting of Booth and Lancaster. She is able to express so much with her face and body language--you really have to see it. Also, while Lancaster's performance is much more subdued, I loved how he walked through the house when he was intoxicated--slightly touching things to steady himself as he slowly makes his way though the house. It was a little thing--but the director did a fine job as did the actors as lots of little things were used to give the film a rich texture.
So is the film worth seeing? Of course--it is magnificent. But be forewarned that it isn't exactly fun viewing. Often you'll find yourself cringing and by the end there is a pervasive sense of sadness and emptiness that many will find disturbing. Plus I could imagine that the film could kick up a lot of baggage in some viewers.
Shirley Booth received an Oscar for her performance of a dowdy and not particularly interesting or effective housewife. In essence, she is a sloppy and particularly unattractive woman. The handsome Burt Lancaster (wearing makeup and playing a much older man than he really was) is married to this woman--and down deep this loveless marriage to a sad and rather annoying woman is eating him alive. He maintains a placid demeanor--stuffing his anger and resentment down deep as he consumes antacids and complains of stomachaches. He also is a recovering alcoholic who is on edge--and appears setting himself up to drink again. It's a living hell for him, as he is silently bitter about being forced to marry Booth decades before when she became pregnant. The fact that she subsequently lost the baby and is unable to have more doesn't make things any better. Booth's way to cope with this sad marriage is through her dog, Sheba, but since the dog has disappeared, the loneliness of their marriage has become more apparent. It also becomes more apparent when they take in a young boarder (Terry Moore), as she's young, vivacious and has an active and happy love life. All these factors (and more) work together to create a very sad and realistic portrait.
It's obvious that the writers knew a lot about psychology and alcoholism--and this is why I love this film. Not only are the characters wonderfully real, but they are realized correctly--and they definitely get the little details right. For example, it's one of the best films when it comes to alcoholism. Why this man drinks is fascinating--it's not just because he likes the booze, but it's to temporarily escape this awful life--something rarely talked about in films. It's also very interesting how all his hidden rage is released when he drinks--a year of pent-up anger comes exploding from him. Also, the way his sobriety and AA are shown is exceptional--it's a lot more realistic than the more famous (and overrated) "Lost Weekend" (which has a ridiculously upbeat ending). They show an open meeting, talk about the 12 Steps, the Serenity Prayer and the job of AA sponsors.
What's more fascinating for me are the psychological elements--and the writers clearly were putting in a lot of analytic psychology and symbolism. The juxtaposition of Moore's happy life to theirs is symbolic of the emptiness of the couple. It's also creepy and symbolic how this sick couple refer to each other as 'Baby' and 'Daddy'--especially since they cannot have kids. But what really made me excited was listening to Booth's dream at the end of the film--it was chocked full of Freudian symbolism and showed they knew a lot about the psyche. Booth's dream was symbolic of so much--you could listen to it and interpret the meanings at great, great length.
Aside from the exceptional writing, there are some other things to note. Moore is very sexual throughout the film--she is not some stereotypically nice college student but seethes with sexual desires--something very rare in 1950s films and not really seen much until the late 1960s. This helps the story a lot since Booth and Lancaster completely lack this element in their marriage. Also, I loved the acting of Booth and Lancaster. She is able to express so much with her face and body language--you really have to see it. Also, while Lancaster's performance is much more subdued, I loved how he walked through the house when he was intoxicated--slightly touching things to steady himself as he slowly makes his way though the house. It was a little thing--but the director did a fine job as did the actors as lots of little things were used to give the film a rich texture.
So is the film worth seeing? Of course--it is magnificent. But be forewarned that it isn't exactly fun viewing. Often you'll find yourself cringing and by the end there is a pervasive sense of sadness and emptiness that many will find disturbing. Plus I could imagine that the film could kick up a lot of baggage in some viewers.