Alicia I love this movie so much

Claysaba Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Invaderbank The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Siflutter It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

mark.waltz Likable people get into a predicament that only mature adults can understand. Hollywood good guy Fred MacMurray takes on the two greatest film noir femme fatale of the 1940's, one of them his old scheming partner, Barbara Stanwyck. Wife Joan Bennett is more the woman in the nursery than the woman in the window, too busy with raising three children than acknowledging her husband MacMurray's desire to share her birthday with her. With the kids and even the housekeeper too busy to go to the theater with him, he is more than willing for companionship when old flame Stanwyck shows up. The evening out moves to a weekend away with her, and even though it seems even to the audience to be totally innocent, oldest child William Reynolds suspects more. An evening with Stanwyck with the family makes him certain that what he suspects is true, while Bennett's innocent emotional neglect of MacMurray makes him consider his options.A remake of a 1934 romantic melodrama, this is just one 30's classic that Ross Hunter dusted off, scrapping off the moth balls to bring it up to date. It's nice to see two of my favorite Brooklyn gals, Stanwyck and Bennett, together, and it is ironic that as similar as they were in the 1940's, I couldn't imagine them switching roles. Jane Darwell is the earthy housekeeper, while Pat Crowley is Reynolds's wise girlfriend who tries to get him to see reality. Ironically, Stanwyck's ex-husband, Robert Taylor, played the son in the original. The scene with Reynolds and Gigi Perreau confronting Stanwyck about the alleged affair is exactly the same as the original, but in retrospect, it is as dated as "Back Street" which had a similar scene. That alone gives credence to the line in a Mel Brooks song that asks, "Could it be real or Fanny Hurst?" This is not anything remarkable, but the three stars try to bring something smart to something so formula. These are the types of parts that the stars could play in their sleep. It lacks the color of Ross Hunter's other soap opera remakes, but somehow, that doesn't seem to be missing here.

jjnxn-1 Stylish drama acted expertly by super professionals. The powerful duo of Stanwyck and MacMurray excel when paired together and this is a fine example of that. Sadly this film is somewhat obscure, a shame since it really does examine in simple terms the crisis a man faces when he realizes he has fallen into a rut without being aware of it. Another winner from Sirk and perhaps even better then some of his more renown films, which are certainly enjoyable if sometimes over the top and a little lurid, since this drama is muted and closer to real life. The problems the film examines seem rooted in the 50's consumerism but by looking a little deeper they are revealed to be universal and timeless issues. This was the final pairing of Barbara and Fred, all their collaborations are worth watching, although The Moonlighter is rather sketchy, but this is the only one showing them as a mature pair and it's a pity they didn't have a chance to make perhaps one more when they had reached old age since they brought out the best in each other.

vincentlynch-moonoi I'm a little surprised with the relatively high rating this film gets from of IMDb reviewers. If someone were to say to me that movies should realistically depict life, then I'd point them toward this film, which has none of the punch that many Douglas Sirk films had. And the reason that punch is missing is because it's a psychological drama that fits real people. That shouldn't be a bad thing...and it isn't here. It's just that this is a very serious drama, but not an exciting one.The strength of this film is the acting of the lead players. I often curse "My Three Sons", MacMurray's popular television series...because it is how MacMurray is most remembered, rather than for the very fine film career he had from the later 1930s through the late 1950s...in both comedies and drams. And, though he was beginning to show his age here (certainly middle aged...but he was nearing 50), that was the perfect age for anyone to play this role...because the role is of a man in mid-life crisis. And he does exceptionally well and without any histrionics...it's all inside, but we get to see it very clearly. It's definitely MacMurray's movie, but Barbara Stanwyck is wonderful here as the "other woman" who really has no intention of being the "other woman". Stanwyck's best scene here is where she carefully tells off MacMurray's snooping children. Joan Bennett, who is lovely here, is the wife who takes her husband for granted and is a subtle nagger.That's not to say all the performances here are superb. As for the young actors playing the children...yuck. Judy Nugent has to have one of the most annoying voices of any child actor. In terms of William Reynolds, the son, I couldn't tell if it was his role that was annoying, or his acting. And, the children and young people here are absolutely key to the plot, so you see a lot of them. I give much higher grades to the girlfriend of the son -- Gigi Perreau. Unfortunately, veteran character actor Jane Darwell is totally wasted here as an older maid.This is a very restrained film with solid acting by the lead roles. It doesn't have the intense excitement of many of Douglas Sirk's other films, but it is also more realistic than those other films.Recommended for the serious film-goer.

Patricio García Martinez In her review, at the time on the top of this movie's reviews, lora64 says: "As for first impressions, I have the feeling it's an idealist's wished-for 'dream of a perfect world and perfect people' that never quite comes true, unfortunately, for many in real life. " I think my dearest lora64 misunderstood the film. ANd I think many people misunderstands it. Because the one thing important nobody seems to see. I mean the robot. Unlike conservative Noel Coward's "Brief Encunter",this is the story of a little talking robot living a little idiotic life with his little idiotic family, as he LONGS for escape. Just see the many takes of the robot walking towards the camera. Douglas Sirk was trying to say something there.This film is bitterness and acidity combined in such a masterful way, and finely enough that a lot of people still think they're watching a 'dream of a perfect world and perfect people'.