Much has been said about the bad casting, but I find it all fitting indeed. The plot is one of the endless variations on La Traviata - the whore with a heart of gold - but it has some twists in it that are original. Stanwyck is great in this first 'out' gay role of any character in films.
Capucine is one the great beauties of film. Her acting is icy - which is perfect. Did you note how she changes her mind depending on whom she's talking to? It's clear the character has no mind of her own - until it's too late. Perfect.
The Fonda-Harvey prelude is terrific. And of course the plotting brings her significantly back in the denouement. There's not a wasted motif in the plot. Stanwyck's husband at the beginning and end. It's easy to cry 'pot-boiler' but that's a vacuous charge against this better than average movie, certainly a milestone of sorts.
Capucine is one the great beauties of film. Her acting is icy - which is perfect. Did you note how she changes her mind depending on whom she's talking to? It's clear the character has no mind of her own - until it's too late. Perfect.
The Fonda-Harvey prelude is terrific. And of course the plotting brings her significantly back in the denouement. There's not a wasted motif in the plot. Stanwyck's husband at the beginning and end. It's easy to cry 'pot-boiler' but that's a vacuous charge against this better than average movie, certainly a milestone of sorts.