At best this is a tepid melodrama redolent with overtones of comic operetta, sans the musical vocals. Taylor plays a selfish, wealthy young woman, Louise Durant--- a seductress with a manipulative game plan. She targets two gifted classical musicians for would be suitors, here portrayed as male window dressing by Vittorio Gassman and John Ericson. Louise proceeds to turn these two objects of her affection inside out, pitting one against the other as contenders for her beauteous self. She creates turmoil in their emotional lives, threatening their professional aspirations. And what Louise wants is total devotion from her man on a 24/7 schedule, an agenda of mutual possession; plenty of activity in the bedroom with time out for bathroom breaks.
Elizabeth Taylor in this film radiates her youthful beauty at its best. Her screen power cannot be denied, however what is reaffirmed in Rhapsody is that Taylor was a "Movie Star" with all the power of a magnetic personality, which that definition entails. As an actress, her range was limited and talent but sufficient. What the audience sees when they see Elizabeth Taylor on film is always: Elizabeth Taylor.
Elizabeth Taylor in this film radiates her youthful beauty at its best. Her screen power cannot be denied, however what is reaffirmed in Rhapsody is that Taylor was a "Movie Star" with all the power of a magnetic personality, which that definition entails. As an actress, her range was limited and talent but sufficient. What the audience sees when they see Elizabeth Taylor on film is always: Elizabeth Taylor.