After all, they have something in common. Jane Fonda and Rosemary Murphy instantly seem to get each other in the colorful movie version of the hit Broadway play, utilizing some great midtown east footage of Manhattan practically right under the Queensborough Bridge. Meeting married Jason Robards by chance, Fonda finds herself in a situation that she can't seem to escape from, and it gets worse after he sets Fonda up in his company townhouse and out of town client Dean Jones pops in.
Having already done some wonderful Manhattan set comedies and preparing to star in "Barefoot in the Park", Fonda goes over-the-top with a campy performance where she's nearly chewing the legs off of the bridge. It's just below the level of overacting so she gets away with it. Dean is equally as frenetic, and fortunately Murphy and Robards underplay their roles, with Murphy absolutely wonderful, warm and understanding, yet not a fool.
There's a great scene with Murphy and her decorator, Jack Fletcher, who is a combo of Charles Nelson Reilly and Paul Lynde, and has the audience laughing with him, not at him. There's a lot dated about the film, but it's so colorful and nostalgic that its status as a period piece is truly assured. I doubt that the play could be revived, but this has so much charm that it becomes irresistible. Murphy makes her part seem so easy, but I give her acclaim for giving one of the best supporting performances of the year.
Having already done some wonderful Manhattan set comedies and preparing to star in "Barefoot in the Park", Fonda goes over-the-top with a campy performance where she's nearly chewing the legs off of the bridge. It's just below the level of overacting so she gets away with it. Dean is equally as frenetic, and fortunately Murphy and Robards underplay their roles, with Murphy absolutely wonderful, warm and understanding, yet not a fool.
There's a great scene with Murphy and her decorator, Jack Fletcher, who is a combo of Charles Nelson Reilly and Paul Lynde, and has the audience laughing with him, not at him. There's a lot dated about the film, but it's so colorful and nostalgic that its status as a period piece is truly assured. I doubt that the play could be revived, but this has so much charm that it becomes irresistible. Murphy makes her part seem so easy, but I give her acclaim for giving one of the best supporting performances of the year.