MtnShelby

I don't generally enjoy leaving negative reviews, especially for small films. There's a lot to like in this film, including a very appealing female lead. The film is quickly paced, no bogging down, no cloying romantic clichés. But let's just say that the sexual talk went way beyond banter to a big cringe-worthy, sticky ewwwwww of disgust in at least two scenes, and I'm not counting the locker room chatter between Miles and his caustic friend. I am so glad I watched this film alone, as I can't imagine how I would have reacted had someone else been there beyond my dog, and I'm not quite sure she's fully recovered. I'm by no means a prude, but Gheesh, if there is going to be sexually charged dialogue, it has to be clever, not vulgar. Double Indemnity this isn't.

I've had the good fortune in my life to visit all of the major locations in this film at least once, and three times for two of them. How wonderful to revisit Capri through this film, albeit in black and white and decades before I traveled (which made the cinematography all that more interesting). But the film isn't a documentary (thank goodness with the understandable but annoying Italian clichés and stereotypes). . . so there's that troublesome plot with, as others have pointed out, some fundamental flaws that require an enormous suspension of disbelief. I just couldn't get past these challenges, nor could I find much to celebrate in two people abandoning all responsibilities to conduct an adulterous affair as "ghosts" of themselves. Despite very solid acting and an always lovely Joan Fontaine, I just could not be swept away be the charm and the fantasy and found myself squarely in line with the grande dame piano teacher as she chastises Joan's character for her behavior. I know many viewers adore this film, and I suppose at some level I can see why (even as I watched the film I had a brief urge to sell everything and go back), but the premise of the romance just doesn't work for me.

I agree with other reviewers who found merit in this film. Maybe because I watched it "on a dark and stormy night," I found the film to have quite a few endearing qualities, including a sufficiently gloomy and Gothic setting, solid acting, a big dash of melodrama (sometimes unintentionally funny), some brilliant catch phrases, a couple of handsome equines, some much-needed tawdriness, intriguing real world background, an astute and meddling detective type, and of course Bette as the menacing, manipulative author of thrillers (undoubtedly as sordid as her behavior). I mean, what's not to like? Sure, the plot has some real twists that are beyond suspending disbelief, and the quality of the film isn't the best, but if you're a fan of the genre or Bette, then this is a must see. But first, pour yourself a stiff drink. Preferably, direct from the bottle.