Cruel Desengano

Now, don't get me wrong: I like the theater, and I like movies. I just think of them as separate entities, not as interchangeable ones.

Which is why I get bored with a movie like 'The Member of the Wedding'. I am not saying it didn't make great theater or wonderful literature, but as a film it sinks, mercilessly. Film is simply not its medium, whatever qualities it has on other levels. A line like "I always maintained I didn't believe in love" as recited by a pre-teen could perceivably make some kind of sense on the stage and in a book, but on film it is ludicrous.

12-year old tomboy Frankie is triggered by the pending marriage of her older brother to start daydreaming about what is to become of her. She feels to old for her body, and is obviously too young for her aspirations. Her anchors in life are the maid Bernice and the little boy next door, John Henry.

As it was perceived here, the whole foundation of 'The Member of the Wedding' is the acting. Ethel Waters is great as the maid, although you can hardly say that she transcends racial boundaries, and 26-year old Julie Harris is nothing if not loud-mouthed as Frankie, playing the part to the full, screaming and shouting and squirming, and simply trying too hard. If you think Brando was intense, just wait till you experience Miss Harris!