rupie

This movie showed up on Turner Classics Movies and as I had never heard of it and it starred Maximillian Schell, I gave it a shot. First off the condition of the print was pretty poor, compared to many movies of the same vintage. Secondly, I am surprised at the relatively high user rating. To me, the jarring plot twist towards the end of the movie not only strains credibility, but is never provided with a convincingly understandable explanation. It just doesn't wash. And Schell's performance is completely over the top; he plays the character as arrogant, imperious, sarcastic and nasty. Whether this was his decision or the directors's I don't know, but it helped to ruin the flick for me.

TCM showed this movie recently, and I barely remembered it from when I had seen it shortly after its initial release. A film with Burt Lancaster, Gene Hackman and Deborah Kerr that hardly anyone remembers? Yes indeed, and it's well worth watching. The parachute action is interesting, yes, but it's merely a "McGuffin," to use Hitchcock's phrase, on which to hang a story of personal relationships, family and marital disfunction, and romantic and carnal longing. I had forgotten that Deborah Kerr did a nude scene here, and she sure looks mighty fine for a woman of 48. The parachute stunts are fine but what drives the movie is the personal interrelationships, as well as the superb direction of the great John Frankenheimer. To use a tired phrase, this is a "hidden gem."

I join with those viewers who are surprised at the relatively low rating of this flick. I found it quite entertaining and humorous. The gradual yet inexorable disillusionment of Eddie with his new bride is portrayed with great humor, and the script had some very intelligently witty lines. It's true that it helps if you're a Ben Stiller fan, which I am, and it's also true that this flick is not going to rate up there with Midnight Run or The Sunshine Boys as far as great comedies go. Still, if it's a rainy afternoon and you need something to fill the time this flick makes for a very entertaining hour and a half.