I recently bought this movie on VHS and viewed it. Shirley Jones does not disappoint, as she plays her character with depth and complexity. The movie begins with her monologue, as she speaks to a group of fellow ex-gamblers. I disapproved of that beginning, though, and thought the movie deserved more definition and formation of the main characters. I would have liked to have known the inner world of Elanor Anderson; her history, what brought her to gambling, her secret aspirations. Maybe just as importantly, I would have liked some illustration of what allowed her to quit gambling.
One of the main, and longest parts of the movie concerns a series of covert bets she makes, over a period of six months, with the $30,000 in her new husband's savings account. There was a 30-40 minute section of the movie when we are on pins and needles, waiting for her husband to find out. I thought this movie was going to end in a bloody scene such as in Finding Mr. Goodbar. I was very relieved and surprised when Elanor's husband reacts with love instead of hate, understanding instead of revenge. The substantial and valuable nature of this direction of the plot re-inforces my belief that this movie deserved more character development, as I was tempted to view the inner directives, values and challenges of the people involved. Shirley's performance and presence saves what is a somewhat, but not wholly disappointing plot.
