OK, I've seen some sappy movies in my time, but none as saccharine as this. It's the story of preparing for the future of one's loved ones, facing the possibility of death with dignity and leaving a legacy of comfort for the survivors behind. In many aspects, it's not at all realistic, but to criticize it would be like beating your Valentine over the head with a Hallmark card. Therefore, it feels necessary to go into this with an extremely open mind, and the only way is to accept the fact that this is what life is like in some alternate universe, where like the song "Loveland" in the musical "Follies" explains that lovebirds cannot be separated, lest the survivor swoon and die.
Upon meeting handsome scientist Robert Stack, doctor's assistant Lauren Bacall offers to soothing his sore back by giving him a rubdown. Within minutes, they are leaving to have a drink, and minutes later are coming out of a wedding chapel. She moves into his home downstairs from an observatory, and it seems like the nest is full, even five years after their marriage. But when fate intervenes, she decides to make sure that if the worst happens, he won't be alone, and brings the young and troubled Evelyn Rudie into their home. However, not everything goes as planned, and for swooning and dying lovebird Stack, it takes a major gift of love to bring him back to life.
Coming out as Bacall recovered from the shock of husband Bogie's death, it seems a bit sentimental and even a little sappy at times. The two lovebirds are far too perfect together, yet there's a sense of darkness behind all of the pathos. Rudie is a natural, fine young actress, even when precocious and pretending that she's a horse. Bacall plays the ultimate heroine, not manipulative in any way, and is too good to be true. Stack gives a dark performance as he faces grief and confusion, going through the stages realistically and with intensity. Lorne Greene, Anne Seymour, Edward Platt and young Scatman Crothers are quite good in support. So take this for what it is, a message film with a huge heart, and leave the diabetic medicine for those who need it.
Upon meeting handsome scientist Robert Stack, doctor's assistant Lauren Bacall offers to soothing his sore back by giving him a rubdown. Within minutes, they are leaving to have a drink, and minutes later are coming out of a wedding chapel. She moves into his home downstairs from an observatory, and it seems like the nest is full, even five years after their marriage. But when fate intervenes, she decides to make sure that if the worst happens, he won't be alone, and brings the young and troubled Evelyn Rudie into their home. However, not everything goes as planned, and for swooning and dying lovebird Stack, it takes a major gift of love to bring him back to life.
Coming out as Bacall recovered from the shock of husband Bogie's death, it seems a bit sentimental and even a little sappy at times. The two lovebirds are far too perfect together, yet there's a sense of darkness behind all of the pathos. Rudie is a natural, fine young actress, even when precocious and pretending that she's a horse. Bacall plays the ultimate heroine, not manipulative in any way, and is too good to be true. Stack gives a dark performance as he faces grief and confusion, going through the stages realistically and with intensity. Lorne Greene, Anne Seymour, Edward Platt and young Scatman Crothers are quite good in support. So take this for what it is, a message film with a huge heart, and leave the diabetic medicine for those who need it.