MovieChat Forums > Baby the Rain Must Fall (1965) Discussion > Why this movie falls short of greatness

Why this movie falls short of greatness


It is adapted by Horton Foote from his play "The Traveling Lady". It was intended to be a sort of "road movie" where the protagonist gradually matures through her experiences, as is illustrated by the final line of the script "My, we sure do get around!"

The problem is that Steve McQueen is such a charismatic actor that he becomes, almost my accident (but possibly for commercial reasons too) the central character, and the script does nothing to re-balance things.

The director later confirmed that the film had been savaged in editing. Much of the explanations for the characters' actions was edited out. I would bet that most of that material relates to Georgette and the supporting actors, leaving the McQueen character to occupy the high ground.

As a result, the story becomes too simplistic to satisfy, but at the same time progresses jerkily. While the plot broadly conforms to director Mulligan's specialty of "youthful rebellion against conventional society" done in a Social Realist style, the inserted sequences of "Southern Gothic" (though excellently done) do not quite blend in.

Still, there is a lot to admire here. Ernest Laszlo's masterly camerawork and the acting by the leads. Kimberly Block is a sweet, realistic and heart-breaking daughter, when American kids in most movies of the era are vomit-inducing brats. Surprisingly, this was her only film role. I hope she went on to have a happy and fulfilling life in the "real" world.

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I agree

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