This film was a huge hit based on a Broadway show that was also a huge hit. And I'm a little perplexed as to why.
True, the songs are terrific, including I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair, Nothing Like a Dame, In Love with a Wonderful Guy, and the infectious earworm Happy Talk. But at times there's a disconnect between the song and the story. Wonderful Guy is the story of someone whose jaded feelings about romance have been shattered, yet Nelly is always perky and upbeat. Happy Talk is a song about making plans for the future sung to people who don't speak the same language.
The story feels unfocused. An hour in I still wasn't quite sure what the story was really about. I think that might be the result of the filmmakers switching the first two scenes; had it begun with Nelly and the "French" guy then it would have been clearer that they were the main plot devices ... er, characters.
There are also some really dumb moments, most notably the ridiculous scene with Ray Walston on a raft. And there's some things that are odd, like Bloody Mary's obsession with Cable. But there are also some really good moments, such as the casual vaudeville of Honey Bun or the searing indictment of racism, You've Got to Be Carefully Taught, which is about the only thing I remember from watching this movie when I was 12; that song blew my mind!
There's also those weird color filters; the claim is this was an error and it was supposed to be a subtle effect, but if so, why was it never fixed? Couldn't it be digitally fixed now? It's really annoying.
Anyway, Mitzi Gaynor and Juanita Hall are good, everyone else is acceptable, and the score is terrific. All in all, a mixed bag.
True, the songs are terrific, including I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair, Nothing Like a Dame, In Love with a Wonderful Guy, and the infectious earworm Happy Talk. But at times there's a disconnect between the song and the story. Wonderful Guy is the story of someone whose jaded feelings about romance have been shattered, yet Nelly is always perky and upbeat. Happy Talk is a song about making plans for the future sung to people who don't speak the same language.
The story feels unfocused. An hour in I still wasn't quite sure what the story was really about. I think that might be the result of the filmmakers switching the first two scenes; had it begun with Nelly and the "French" guy then it would have been clearer that they were the main plot devices ... er, characters.
There are also some really dumb moments, most notably the ridiculous scene with Ray Walston on a raft. And there's some things that are odd, like Bloody Mary's obsession with Cable. But there are also some really good moments, such as the casual vaudeville of Honey Bun or the searing indictment of racism, You've Got to Be Carefully Taught, which is about the only thing I remember from watching this movie when I was 12; that song blew my mind!
There's also those weird color filters; the claim is this was an error and it was supposed to be a subtle effect, but if so, why was it never fixed? Couldn't it be digitally fixed now? It's really annoying.
Anyway, Mitzi Gaynor and Juanita Hall are good, everyone else is acceptable, and the score is terrific. All in all, a mixed bag.