Montgomery Clift really worked with the cream of the crop - Hawks, Zinnemann, Hitchcock, Kazan, Stevens and here Vittorio de Sica. This is the tale of a romance between Jennifer Jones and Clift in Rome.
The film doesn't have a good reputation - no one who liked it seemed happy with it - but I liked it. It's very simple, a one act play... not really enough material for a feature: it's about the end of a relationship rather than the whole relationship. It feels more suited to say an hour long TV play and even then could be pushing it. It needs a subplot, to meet Jones' sister at least (mother of the Richard Beymer character); maybe the husband; maybe a friend of Clift's; a stronger subplot (there is one about a pregnant woman but that's not really in depth).
But it's done with a lovely seemingly-effortless style, with skilful photography among the rail station. I'm not a big Jennifer Jones fan but she's fine; with Elizabeth Taylor I think this could've been a minor classic. Clift is excellent in his handsome, intense leading man phase. You look at this Clift and go "he would've make Wild River really sing". He really disintegrated in a few years. He's not that Italian but it hardly matters.
Strong atmosphere. Fun to see young Richard Beymer. Confidently handled. Like I say not really enough story for a feature but entertaining.
Oh I wasn't wild about the domestic violence aspect - Clift smacks Jones across the face. Apparently this is alright because his character is Italian or something.
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