This is the kind of movie I have trouble watching with any objectivity.
The Jane Fonda character was a useless 15th century female in a 20th century setting: No skills, no ambition, completely dependent on some man to take care of her. Blech!
I'm sure the story is well written and well acted. But not all stories are for everyone, and despite the actors that I otherwise really like, this story wasn't for me.
I've called by some an 'old fashioned' type male but even I was disgusted by this movie ! The movie is good for one thing: If ya wanna know how attractive Jane was in her youth, watch this movie - but watch, not listen. Its what the 'mute' button on your remote was made for.
The plot/dialogue is more than an insult to woman, its an insult to humanity. How Fonda/Robards ever signed on after reading the script it beyond me. No joke. the dialogue actually angered me. The movie is playing as I type - TCM. I felt compelled to log on here and write this - I guess in hopes that after doing so, the tension/aggravation would drain from my body/mind. And I may never look at balloons the same way again.
To the writer(s) all I can say is: HOW DARE YOU ....
To the writer(s) all I can say is: HOW DARE YOU ....Ouch! That's rather harsh. I can see I'm in the minority here, but I liked it.
Yeah, I agree. You just take a film based on what the spirit of the times were. I really liked this movie.
Back in those days, many, if not most women were out to get married and raise a family. Is that such a bad thing? I came of age in a different time and got a degree, had a career and also got married and had kids.
And to be honest, my family has meant way, way more to me than any job I ever had. So I could totally relate to the Jane/Ellen character.
People are taking things, and themselves far too seriously.
The 60s is when all that started changing; it was only about 5 yrs later that Jane Fonda won an Os car for playing a prostitute in "Klute.". Big difference!
I was 13 when this movie came out-
Our generation was conditioned to go for the goal of marriage, but I'm happy to say my parents encouraged and supported me to pursue higher education
My dad couldn't stand movies like this ( or anything of the Doris Day/Rock Hudson variety) for the simple fact that everyone behaved like morons.
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I was 13 when this movie came out-And this one of the reasons why I resent the 1960s! I'll take one of those "morons" any day, over the PC crowd and Gloria Steinem types.
Our generation was conditioned to go for the goal of marriage, but I'm happy to say my parents encouraged and supported me to pursue higher education
My dad couldn't stand movies like this ( or anything of the Doris Day/Rock Hudson variety) for the simple fact that everyone behaved like morons.
joasiafly, Klute was actually made in 1971, and yep the times they had changed for sure.
A business partner of mine was attacked once for stating the truth, he started work in 1950 and a lot of women, at that time, didn't want to even stay at work, let alone become a Chief Executive. He said a lot of women wanted to marry and have a family, and when the women at the table attacked him he simply said "I was there, you weren't even around for another 25 years".
Fonda's sudden attraction to Robards didn't gel, the casting was a bit off the mark, but it was a different time then and I enjoyed the film for some of the witty one liners, and the gentle froth & fun. Fonda's character certainly went into the situation with her eyes open & knew the deal; even though she was lied to she knew what she was getting into & was complicit in the affair.
It's an example of the situation romantic comedy films of the time, but still has a bit of relevance here & there - don't get involved with married men, don't fall for suckerbait (it's for the children, we're really all but separated etc.) and be true to one's self.
6 out of 10 (a pass mark plus one) from me for amusing me for the length of the film.
plus the casting seemed off for the film...Robards and Jones did not carry their roles well
shareThe character is what I call a sugar baby.
shareThis pushed all of those buttons with me – and so many more. Had there been any chemistry between Jane's character and her two lovers, or Jason Robards' character and his two lovers – I would have gladly looked the other way. This could have worked as a melodrama, but as a comedy it just made me cringe.
Fortunately, the Summer of Love was just a year away, followed closely by the sexual revolution. 5/10 stars from me based on efforts, halfhearted though they were.
If this was a melodrama it could have been "The Apartment". Superb acting and story line.
SkiesAreBlue
I love "The Apartment" – possibly my favorite Billy Wilder movie. Very well-made film with a cast and script that worked much better here. I think of that as more a comedy than a melodrama, though.
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