Two teachers (Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine) have their lives destroyed when an evil child wrongfully accuses them of being lesbians. This was pretty strong stuff in 1961 (in fact, the word "lesbian" is never even uttered!) but it doesn't date well. The reactions of people in this movie seem way overdone and the script can't overcome the fact that it was based on a stage play--I expected to see a curtain descending halfway through the movie! Also a crucial trial sequence was cut out by the studio before the film was released, so there's a big "hole" in the middle. However, the cinematography of Franz Planer is beautiful...the imagery tells you exactly what characters are thinking without a word of dialogue.
The acting varies--Hepburn is too mannered (and seems very uncomfortable) and James Garner (as her boyfriend) walks through his role. However MacLaine is excellent (especially at the end) as is Miriam Hopkins (as a meddling aunt) and Fay Bainter (Oscar-nominated as a concerned parent and the main villainess).
The main problem, as I said before, is the script. It's too damn stagy! Most of it sounds unrealistic. Also hated the tragic ending (but that's the only way it could end in its era). So, it was a trailblazer in terms of gay representation on the screen but (unfortunately) it doesn't hold up.
The acting varies--Hepburn is too mannered (and seems very uncomfortable) and James Garner (as her boyfriend) walks through his role. However MacLaine is excellent (especially at the end) as is Miriam Hopkins (as a meddling aunt) and Fay Bainter (Oscar-nominated as a concerned parent and the main villainess).
The main problem, as I said before, is the script. It's too damn stagy! Most of it sounds unrealistic. Also hated the tragic ending (but that's the only way it could end in its era). So, it was a trailblazer in terms of gay representation on the screen but (unfortunately) it doesn't hold up.