Pete 'n' Tillie (1972 Martin Ritt)

Great teaming of Walter Matthau and Carole Burnett, who star in Julius Epstein screenplay of Peter de Vries novella 'Witch's Milk'(1968) - he himself suffered the death of a child from leukaemia. This is not dwelt upon but (like in A Single Man) shows the quite ordinary reaction to bad news as not being histrionic but minimal (though Matthau's teary eyes speak volumes).

Good, often very funny writing, good acting all round includes Geraldine Page (classic scrap between her and Burnett), Barry Nelson, Rene Auberjonois and Henry Jones. Loved also the way Burnett dismissed Matthau's mistress.

Photographed by John A Alonzo in Panavision (though Spanish DVD is cropped). Everyone in 1972 SF seemed to like nude art.

Liked the visual reference to Lonely Are the Brave (earlier Matthau part).