Purely Joyful Movie!

Dreadfully Boring

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

A good looking Italian businessman with a wandering eye acts like a complete idiot for about an hour and a half, that's about all that happens as the audience watches him go through what would now be called a mid-life crisis. The most interesting aspect of this is the cars and the 60's fashions and Ann-Margret's almost glowing hair and clothes.Meandering comedy/drama that is too much Gassman and not enough A-M. She still gets a better shake than poor Eleanor Parker who is almost completely wasted in a rather demeaning role as a doormat wife. Hard to find so if you have the chance and are a fan of either lady give it a shot but it's a minor credit for all.

Vittorio Gassman, married to Eleanor Parker and living in Italy, is innocently introduced one day to a schoolkid with pigtails and a goofy grin. Years later, that schoolgirl has become a wanton young woman. She ensnares the married man and plays him like a flute, but how serious is she? He finds himself desirous of her on-again/off-again charms, calling her on the phone in the middle of the night, getting himself in deeper and deeper. Such is the crux of this middle-age-crazy romance-that-really-isn't. It's a thoughtful Italian-made 'dramedy' that attempts to give its characters some dignity (even Ann-Margret's somewhat viporous role isn't all one shade). The low budget and occasional dubbing shouldn't put off fans of the stars. They're worth-watching here in what would make a great double-bill with A-M's similarly-titled "Kitten With A Whip". **1/2 from ****