the reviewers who found the plot overly complex and disjointed seem to have missed the point of the film, i think. this is the story of a decent guy, straight out of a Frank Capra story (this could've been a Capra film starring Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly), who finds that it is difficult to raise a family and keep ones integrity in the American rat race, i.e. life IS complex and problems come from all angles. maybe it helps to be able to identify with the main characters, married with kids, mid-life, struggling to stay above water, suddenly realizing that any dream other than getting out of debt seems to be slipping beyond the reach of this lifetime, disreputable rats around each corner trying to take advantage of you. no clear way to tell the rats from people with honest concerns, etc. i thought this movie hit the nail on the head, and the scariest part was that it was made FIFTY years ago (sort of like watching Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and realizing it was made almost SEVENTY years ago), and we know the rats have honed their methods in the interim. in fact, my only disappointments were the twin deus ex machina's in the form of the judge and the boss. thus, Tom Rath's (Gregory Peck's) solution is not an entirely intrinsic one, but one that benefited heavily from a couple of good-hearted people in key positions. that might be too much to hope for in today's America where guys like George Bailey would be labeled as "unpatriotic liberals" and anybody who succeeds in the system seems to pay nothing more than lip service to the morals of Tom Rath. nine out of ten.
Review of The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit
An honest man tries to make ends meet AND keep his integrity in the American rat race
31 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers