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An overrated film. It's built around a Hallmark type plot of a troubled youth redeemed thanks to a caring mentor who never gives up despite little encouragement or gratitude. But this is layered over with never ending f-bombs, conspicuous promotion of blow jobs, unapologetic masturbation, and of course easy sex without consequences or commitment. It's so 1990s. Robin Williams shines as the counselor trying to reach Matt Damon, a frustrating jerk barely redeemed by story end. Rachel Majorowski is his believable, thoughtful girlfriend. But I felt like I needed a shower after watching obscene middle schoolers trying to sound profound.

Heartwarming fun with a preposterous but intriguing plot. It held our attention far more than my wife and I expected from an old black and white. This film should be a Christmas classic. It's redemptive, with a bad girl made good by encountering an honorable man and his loving family. It's squeaky clean, with a willing woman surprised by discovering a chaste man. It's honest, with lies and legal flim flam set aside for painful truth. It's faithful, ending with personal loyalty despite adversity. Barbara Stanwyck is deft in her role, and Fred MacMurray is not far behind. The film's one blot is its racist caricature of a black servant, who's portrayed as a bumbling clod. But his role is minor and does not invalidate the film's overall worth.

Pure Hallmark type fairy tale schmaltz, but an excellently done fairy tale with a bit of drama yet a very happy ending. If you're looking for the genre, it's hard to imagine a better match. A lonely and misunderstood prince, a storybook castle, and stuffy European royalty mix with a charming American commoner. Good vs. Bad stark choices with the good guys always coming from behind for the win, yet with a few clever and suspenseful plot twists. Abundant sparkle and glitz. My wife and I started skeptical but were won over by the end. Good enough for two sequel movies to flow from it, though unsure if they meet the same standard.