Hilariously awful acting from Newman
This was Newman's first movie role? I can't think of a worse introduction. Horrible, terrible acting .
Totally agree!! (Two thumbs down)
shareAgreed. A sad waste of his otherwise excellent great talent. Maybe since he was Jewish, he just couldn't "get into" the character in this story? He seemed very detached from the role, lacking feeling in his lines and almost "wooden". Interesting note from IMDb Trivia section: "Otto Preminger, a Jew himself, cast him in Exodus (1960) because he wanted someone of Jewish heritage who didn't "look Jewish". Mis-casting shouldn't happen to any actor/actress.
The best revenge: Live well, enjoy life and be happy. Drives any haters crazy.
He was raised in a mixed-faith household, so I doubt the Christian aspect of the film was the problem. Most likely his style of acting just didn't gel with the story and helped create the hopelessly wooden performance seen on screen. Thankfully, he hit it out of the park with his next movie role.
No blah, blah, blah!
Just watched on TCM, Paul's acting was fairly good (sexy too in his so-called cocktail dresses!)
As a Jew, I perceived what Otto (who was part Jewish) preferred; was an actor who looked mixed Caucasian / Middle Eastern-Jewish for his film. He was no dummy, American audience$ back in early 1950's were mostly Caucasian or sadly hid their ethnicity.
BTW, Pauls' parents were USA born... Mom of Christian/Slavic descent who raised Paul & older brother as such. Dad wasn't religious, came from mixed Jewish and Caucasian descendants.