Filled with "one-ers" (long takes without cuts), giving actors the chance to breathe - Sinatra and Shirley MacLaine in particular stand out, Martin has less to do. One of a series of fifties mainstream Hollywood pictures which subvert the Golden Age's view of perfect small town Americana. Here everything's rotten: Sinatra's desperate alcoholic failed writer, Martin's health, Arthur Kennedy's marriage, Martha Hyer's ability to relate .. actually MacLaine as the most pathetic character is the one who most wants to improve herself, and dies happy... And Sinatra's relationship with niece Betty Lou Keim is his salvation.
A perniciously sad, long (137 min) film, adapted by John Patrick and Arthur Sheekman from novel by James Jones resulting in a shaded, opaque story. Shot by MGM regular Bill Daniels (in CinemaScope and Metrocolor), giving us a beautifully dark kiss, with moody Elmer Bernstein score. Thoughtful direction with exciting, feverish finale. Staging of characters in final funeral is telling.
Martin sure does pack a lot of booze in his suitcase!
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