posted by Marc Atonna
Film
Goldie won the best supporting actress Academy Award as a ditsy, blonde mistress. Not bad for a debut. Goldie starts the film with her suicide attempt foiled by a neighbor (who unknowingly gives a great James Stewart impression). Matthau thinks he has the perfect love scenario. He has a stuffy secretary (Bergman) who keeps his life in order and a fling (Goldie) he keeps in check by telling her about a non-existent wife and kids.
As with all successful romantic comedies, a wrench has…to be thrown into the works. Matthau asks Goldie to marry him, she feels like she should meet his wife, he convinces Bergman to play his wife…and the problems ensue. Matthau digs himself a deeper and deeper pit with each lie to Goldie. Goldie wrestles with her morality and care for Bergman. And Bergman discovers a wilder side of herself (with Goldie’s neighbor). In the end the obvious occurs. The older two find that they’ve wanted to be husband and wife all along.
The plot moves 107 minutes along at a good, comedic pace. Goldie and Bergman are at the top of their game. Other than Goldie’s neighbor though, the male characters aren’t given much depth to sink their teeth into. Even Matthau seems to be wallpaper to the plot. The direction is very good. The club scenes were especially fun to watch. See how long it takes to identify the instrumental versions of popular 60’s tunes.
Video
I only watched the anamorphic widescreen presentation (1.85:1) of this disc. The flip side has a full screen version for those into using all their tube. There are a few artifacts that roll across the film and some shadows seem a little inconsistent, but all in all it’s not a bad print.
Audio
An English mono track is what you get here. It’s clear and treats dialogue and music well. No complaints here.
Special Features
Trailers for Cactus Flower, Seems Like Old Times, and Groundhog Day and French and English subtitles are the only offerings from this Columbia/Tristar disc. Would it be so hard to have some lackey type up a few odds and ends about Goldie’s debut or Bergman and Matthau’s careers?
Final Thoughts
Ahh, to think of being as ordinary looking as Matthau and be able to catch women who look as good as Goldie in her 20’s and Bergman in her 40’s. Just like beer commercials. Other than a few somewhat simple characters, this is a very good film. Bergman and Goldie hold this one up all by themselves. Definitely worth a watch, especially for Goldie, Bergman, or Gene Saks fans.
Special Features List
- Trailers
