Review of Marjorie Morningstar

I have mixed feelings about this film. While I loved the book and know how Hollywood (especially in the past) feels that it must sterilize, candy-coat, and generally water down works of literature, I felt that the movie was almost totally different from the book. That being said, I enjoyed the movie on its own terms. The achingly beautiful Natalie Wood (my first movie star crush!) did a good job with the title role; very believable. Contrary to other reviewers, I liked Gene Kelly's work in this movie. He was a talented dramatic actor (especially in "Inherit the Wind") and seemed to really breathe life into the character of Noel Airman. However, the book was so rich, full, and complex, that a two hour movie could not hope to do it justice. I recently re-watched the movie the day after reading the book. So many episodes in the book were missing! This was due to time constraints, the Hollywood code at the time, and, I believe, some poor choices by either the director, producers, and/or writer. In particular, the whole sequence with Mike Eden on the Queen Mary and his secret work in Europe and Marjorie's searching for Noel in Europe was just....gone. That sequence was one of the most important in showing how Marjorie made her ultimate decision. Oddly, the very end of the movie showed (or at least inferred) that Marjorie ended up with Wally. Again, totally false according to the book. Marjorie needed to move on and NOT end up with either Noel, Mike, or Wally. But enough negatives. The sequences at South Wind were fantastic. I only wished that there were more scenes of the camp, the lake, the social hall, etc. And Ed Wynn was perfect (as usual). The supporting cast all did a fine job, particularly Martin Milner as Wally and Claire Trevor as Mrs. Morningstar. Overall, I give it a 7 for what it did have: Natalie Wood and Gene Kelly, the South Wind sequences, and the fine supporting acting.