The principal actors in this film - Albertson, Neal and Sheen - do a wonderful job at playing their roles. I liked some of the period touches of the film, which weren't such ancient history at the time it was made. So why did I give it just 5 stars?
I was disappointed in the film because the story just didn't make any sense at the end. Nothing was resolved. For example, near the end of the film, Albertson (the father) cajoles his son (Sheen) to stay on for at least a few more days because his mom (Neal) has been so looking forward to his return. At breakfast a few minutes later, the son tells the mom that he's going to stay on for another few days - and immediately his father (Albertson) says 'No, I have already called painters to do your room, it will be months before they can fit us in again if you stay' and pretty much insists that the son leave right away. That was his original plan which his father talked him out of! And then the father starts in on the mother's coffee again (as he did the day before) being too weak, if it's not weak then it's cold, etc.
All you know by the end of the story is that the parents are a pair of basket cases and there is no explanation of their behavior nor resolution of their situation. It's like taking a tour of a famous city and they make you get off the bus halfway through before you understand what the place is really about. I suppose you get the impression that the problems are caused by the father and not the mother, but even so she's got her share of issues also.
There's too much time spent on one, two or three of them having had too much to drink, and they do a fair job of acting like drunks but to be honest I get a little uncomfortable watching that go on for too long - as it does in this movie. One more thing, the musical background with songs sung by Judy Collins are so dated and corny they are embarrassing to listen to. Really tied to the time of the filming and they are cringeworthy.
In all, this film held my attention to THE END but only because I was hoping to find out what was wrong with these people and if they might find a way to come to terms with it. But no, that didn't happen. Disappointing. I like a movie where at least at the end you have some sense of the characters having gotten past something and how they will go on from there. I didn't get that here, at all.
I was disappointed in the film because the story just didn't make any sense at the end. Nothing was resolved. For example, near the end of the film, Albertson (the father) cajoles his son (Sheen) to stay on for at least a few more days because his mom (Neal) has been so looking forward to his return. At breakfast a few minutes later, the son tells the mom that he's going to stay on for another few days - and immediately his father (Albertson) says 'No, I have already called painters to do your room, it will be months before they can fit us in again if you stay' and pretty much insists that the son leave right away. That was his original plan which his father talked him out of! And then the father starts in on the mother's coffee again (as he did the day before) being too weak, if it's not weak then it's cold, etc.
All you know by the end of the story is that the parents are a pair of basket cases and there is no explanation of their behavior nor resolution of their situation. It's like taking a tour of a famous city and they make you get off the bus halfway through before you understand what the place is really about. I suppose you get the impression that the problems are caused by the father and not the mother, but even so she's got her share of issues also.
There's too much time spent on one, two or three of them having had too much to drink, and they do a fair job of acting like drunks but to be honest I get a little uncomfortable watching that go on for too long - as it does in this movie. One more thing, the musical background with songs sung by Judy Collins are so dated and corny they are embarrassing to listen to. Really tied to the time of the filming and they are cringeworthy.
In all, this film held my attention to THE END but only because I was hoping to find out what was wrong with these people and if they might find a way to come to terms with it. But no, that didn't happen. Disappointing. I like a movie where at least at the end you have some sense of the characters having gotten past something and how they will go on from there. I didn't get that here, at all.