Underrrated

Lmao Really?

Youre kidding right?

It's premise is infidelities, in my opinion. It couldn't overcome that and move into comedy, like the movies of the 30s and 40s. Add that some of the dialog felt forced, and I understand the rating. This is not a romance comedy, not even close.

If we can save humanity, we become the caretakers of the world

I agree with Gonzo Knight that this film is under-rated. Every time I see it, I get something more or difference from it. The first few times, I was overwhelmed by the setting, scenery, and the costumes. The "movie under the stars" scenes are beautiful and natural, and the showing of vintage films prompts a person to learn more about the films. The scenes of San Francisco and Mary's home are beautiful. Then, the wardrobe is outstanding with the red dress Mary wears at the ballroom dance lesson and the wedding gowns chosen by Mary and Fran. In the second round of viewing, I noticed the music, some vintage favorites and some written just for the sound track. However, the new sound track music is so romantic that it sounds vintage.

In the third round, I concentrated on the plot and noticed several parallels to the basic story of "Cinderella." However, the plot goes in reverse order when, in the first scene, Prince Charming (Dr. Steve) places the lost shoe onto Mary's foot and carries her into the clinic. The plot eventually goes to the ballroom dance lesson, which Fran opts out of because her business calls are "more important." So, Mary as a sort of Cinderella dances with Dr. Steve at this equivalent of the ball. As the film progresses, it shows Mary's disadvantaged background, a part that is told at the beginning of the fairy tale. Like Cinderella, Mary has lost her mother and now lives with her father and has the company of his friends after work. Like Cinderella, she is the faithful handmaiden as the wedding planner, the unfortunate girl who never has been the bride.

The two couples, blond Dr. Steve and Fran and brunette Mary and Massimo, mimic the color-coding sometimes used in productions of "A Mid-Summer Night's Dream" by Shakespeare. At first the two blond people are together, then brunette Mary is matched with blond Dr. Steve, and next brunette Mary and Massimo become a pair. In the end, brunette Mary and blond Dr. Steve are matched up as the two who are truly in love and will get married. Along with this, I believe the "movies under the stars" in the park scene mimics the enchanted forest in "A Mid-Summer Night's Dream" as that is where the action rises as Mary and Dr. Steve meet again and exchange personal information that leads to friendship.

All this may be hard for some young people to follow, but I believe these literary and theatrical elements do make this film a beautifully done romantic comedy that deserves recognition as a classic.

I've always loved it.