I really loved the first 90% of this movie. The direction and writing were superb and had my full attention. In particular, I loved the juicy part played by Robert Ryan as the sadistic and sociopathic multimillionaire--he was in many ways a veiled portrait of Howard Hughes. This man had absolutely no ability to connect to others intimately but saw everyone as self-serving and to be feared. His money, it seemed, allowed him to make others bend to his iron will and "make them dance". The only trouble way, Barbara Bel Geddes soon tired of the dance and left him. Her part was excellent but at times a little inconsistent--strong and full of fire and at other times a bit of a wimp.
The problem for me is the pat ending. Robert Ryan's hold on her is gone at the untimely death of her baby--at which point James Mason's character announces that this is some sort of happy ending (?). It's just too quick and pat to seem believable and it was as if it was just pasted on because they had no idea how to end the film. It would have been 100% better if the film had ended AFTER Ryan collapsed on the floor and Barbara refused to get him the medication! Now THIS would have been much more powerful and satisfying.
The problem for me is the pat ending. Robert Ryan's hold on her is gone at the untimely death of her baby--at which point James Mason's character announces that this is some sort of happy ending (?). It's just too quick and pat to seem believable and it was as if it was just pasted on because they had no idea how to end the film. It would have been 100% better if the film had ended AFTER Ryan collapsed on the floor and Barbara refused to get him the medication! Now THIS would have been much more powerful and satisfying.