Bookish, virginal British lass cuts loose on vacation in Singapore, where she has a romance with her hotel escort, a local young man who may be a gigolo. From a Noel Coward story, with some surprising and funny twists and turns, but the film doesn't know quite when or how to wrap things up. In the lead, Hayley Mills is self-effacing and a little bit feisty; her makeover from a flamboyant male hairdresser is amusing, as is her later switch to teasing tourist. After Mills left the Disney company, British filmmakers mostly seemed interested in getting rid of her darned virginity; this vehicle is no different, though the colorful location is nicely captured and Trevor Howard has a terrific role as Hayley's uncle (he has a speech near the end that evokes many dimensions). Not a complete success, and the Polly character is eventually so mercurial in her emotions that we don't know where we stand with her. Otherwise, an entertaining travelogue and Mills is always worth watching. **1/2 from ****
Review of A Matter of Innocence
A Matter of Innocence
(1967)
Hurt by a drifting narrative, but a decent vehicle for pretty Hayley...
18 September 2005