Anyone not knowing what PETE 'N' TILLIE was about would think they were about to see a riotous comedy--and for at least half of the time they would be right, since the stars are WALTER MATTHAU and CAROL BURNETT.
The first half dealing with the meeting and dating of Pete and Tillie almost seems like a reprise of Matthau and Elaine May in THE NEW LEAF. Plenty of wisecracks. But then, they marry and things take a turn for the worse when their young son becomes ill from leukemia and passes on. Since Tillie takes it worse than Matthau, there's an emotional segment there for Burnett and she handles it well as a serious actress. GERALDINE PAGE has a nice cameo as the woman who gets them acquainted at one of her parties.
A few other things happen after they decide to divorce, but the viewers are left wondering whether they will or won't get together again. I won't tell you here, you have to find out for yourself.
It's better when it's striving for laughs but, on the whole, it's an uneven blend of comedy and drama that works most of the time.
The first half dealing with the meeting and dating of Pete and Tillie almost seems like a reprise of Matthau and Elaine May in THE NEW LEAF. Plenty of wisecracks. But then, they marry and things take a turn for the worse when their young son becomes ill from leukemia and passes on. Since Tillie takes it worse than Matthau, there's an emotional segment there for Burnett and she handles it well as a serious actress. GERALDINE PAGE has a nice cameo as the woman who gets them acquainted at one of her parties.
A few other things happen after they decide to divorce, but the viewers are left wondering whether they will or won't get together again. I won't tell you here, you have to find out for yourself.
It's better when it's striving for laughs but, on the whole, it's an uneven blend of comedy and drama that works most of the time.