I watched this movie mainly because I really like Dana Andrews in films. Unlike many big name stars, he seemed like a real person and didn't play too many pretty boy roles. However, despite my liking his films so much, I was shocked at the casting decisions. The film is about a 15 year reunion for a high school. While Betty Hutton and Jean Hagen aren't that much older than the characters they were playing, Andrews was 48--making him a 33 year-old at high school graduation!! And to make matters worse, Robert Simon played Hutton's father and he was only a year older than Andrews! I know you need to often suspend disbelief when you watch a film, but this was ridiculous! Additionally, Gordon Jones and Herbert Anderson were awfully long in the tooth to be playing such parts.
Now if you ignore the silly casting, the film itself is a nice little film, though certainly not one you should rush to see. While the film is set during this reunion, the underlying theme is life choices. Anderson has chosen to live life with few connections and he's lonely, while Hutton has stayed attached to her parents and longs to break free. Interesting and thought-provoking--but that's about it.
Now if you ignore the silly casting, the film itself is a nice little film, though certainly not one you should rush to see. While the film is set during this reunion, the underlying theme is life choices. Anderson has chosen to live life with few connections and he's lonely, while Hutton has stayed attached to her parents and longs to break free. Interesting and thought-provoking--but that's about it.