Upper middle class couple Katherine Hepburn and Paul Scofield's carefully calculated / balanced life becomes subject to closer examination when their best friends played by Joseph Cotton and Betsy Blair announce they are fleeing a great, nameless terror and are moving in. Compounded by the arrival of their hysterical daughter (Lee Remick) who has just left her fourth husband and the presence of Hepburn's loud and opinionated alcoholic sister, Kate Reid, the fireworks are going to fly.
There are very few concessions to anything cinematic in this adaptation of Albee's award winning play and the main reason to watch it, is to see such distinguished thesps perform the great playwright's words, which of course no-one would ever really speak, so professionally. It's fascinating to see where it will go, but in truth very little happens, it just explores a dysfunctional family rather eloquently. If the play appeals, you'll probably like it, for most it's to be admired rather than enjoyed.
There are very few concessions to anything cinematic in this adaptation of Albee's award winning play and the main reason to watch it, is to see such distinguished thesps perform the great playwright's words, which of course no-one would ever really speak, so professionally. It's fascinating to see where it will go, but in truth very little happens, it just explores a dysfunctional family rather eloquently. If the play appeals, you'll probably like it, for most it's to be admired rather than enjoyed.