The Grass Is Greener
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Movie Reviews of The Grass Is Greener
Movie Review: G R E A T......C I V I L I Z E D......F U N..!
Summary: 4 Stars
CARY GRANT is a happily-married, (to DEBORAH KERR), English Earl in this frothy delight of an old-fashioned comedy-romance, called "THE GRASS IS GREENER". The Earl, believe it or not, has money problems, and the HUGE and TOTALLY BEAUTIFUL mansion he live in with his wife and two children is now actually OWNED by the English "National Trust" - a very real organization. that has taken over many of the "stately homes" of England, for financial reasons. And yet, the
noble families who once owned them, still DO continue to live in them. (The mansion that Grant's character's family lives in is totally spectacular, and MUST be a real mansion hired out to play the movie role of Grant's fictional Earl's home. Sadly, the NAME of this stately home is NOT given....although the EXTERIOUR is shown, along with those of neighbouring stately homes, towards the very beginning of the programme --whilst Noel Coward's song, "The Stately Homes of England" is played, and sung to, in the background.) Just seeing the interiours, (as featured in the first part of the movie, "The Museum", is, to those who love fine architecture and furniture, worth the price of this movie!
The VERY beginning, of course, features the credits. Amusingly, we see the back of a new, sitting BABY each time a cast member is mentioned. Why? Because this movie is about primal human
instincts -- instincts that are put forth readily when one is a baby, and are but barely disguised, even in adulthood.
The Earl's wife, (Ms. Kerr), is, you see --even though truly happily married --attracted to the rather forceful American Millionaire, (ROBERT MICHUM), who shows up during one of the hours when other tourists are traipsing through the Earl's ancestral home. He opens the door marked "private", and the mutual attraction between himself and the Earl's wife is soon obvious to both of them. And to the audience. And, also, to the Earl, who pops in in the last moments.
Civilly, however, none of the principals actually comes off and mentions it -- at first. But then the Earl's wife has to have her hair done. Obviously there are no hairdressers expert enough in the country district where they live, to do the Lady's hair -- and also, just as obviously, she and the Earl do NOT have the money to bring an expert hairdresser to their mansion. (Both the Earl and his lady grow mushrooms to sell, to make a little extra cash...) So, it's off on a train to London, to visit a top hairdresser, to which the Lady of the manor soon goes.... Waiting for her, quite unexpectedly, is the American Millionaire, who has just before called up ALL the leading hairdressers in London, to find out at which one the object of his affections will be. There is no train till the next day, and so American Millionaire and English Lady go to a chic restaurant, and some museums, before she must leave for home...
The Lady has stayed at the home of her friend -- a chatterbox and oddball, played by JEAN SIMMONS. Situations then go from "pillar to post", which many amusing situations -- and a lot of very witty repartee. Finally, a (pistol) duel ensues, between the two male contenders for Ms. Kerr's character's affections....
All in all, this is a VERY well-written, well-directed, well-acted movie. The settings and costumes are gorgeous, (Hardie Ames, and Norman Hartnell -- also designers of Quen Elizabeth II's gowns and suits -- designed the ladie's costumes. The dialogue is quick, funny, literate. VEDDY British, amusing and witty. This is admittedly can be called an "old-fashioned" movie, for "old fashioned" people who LIKE lovely costumes and settings, and LIKE movies WITHOUT four-letter words or rock music, (or even it's 1960s equivalent, Beatnick music). Yet the idea of a happily-married woman being attracted to a handsome stranger is....well, NOT so very old-fashioned! This is an EXTREMELY cultured and civilized movie -- but it does, well, "wink" a bit. All ends happily, of course....
P.S. A SAD, REAL SIDELIGHT.......Stanley Donen, who directed this movie, once had a romance with the very young, and then as-yet-unmarried Elizabeth Taylor. But, as Donen was Jewish, Taylor was not, and the studio disapproved, the romance never had a chance. (Sigh!)
P.P.S.: A HAPPY, REAL SIDELIGHT.......Robert Michum, who plays the American Millionaire in this movie, actually spent some time on a Southern US chain-gang as a youth. But he escaped -- and became an iconic movie star, who played many roles -- including, in this movie, that of an American Oil Millionaire! : )
Movie Review: DVD is low on features
Summary: 4 Stars
I have long been a major fan of this movie, having first seen it on televion in the 1960's. I bought the first tape when it was available and replaced that with the widescreen version when that became available. I was glad to replace that one too with the new dvd. I enjoy the dvd which features a really crisp picture and good sound but I was disappointed that there were almost no features to go with it. The dvd doesn't even include the theatrical trailor that was on the widescreen tape version. Other tapes from Universal include production stills and notes, screen tests, news reel footage and interviews of the time. It's a pity none of that type of material was included. Considering that two of the major actors (Kerr and Simmons) and the director are still very much with us, it is very disappointing that no commentaries were included either. So, I love the story and the performances and the disc is a welcome addition to my dvd collection, but it's an adequate meal that could easily have been a banquet!
Movie Review: Excellent movie, Good DVD copy, but NOT Closed-Captioned
Summary: 4 Stars
The movie is delightful, the DVD copy is very satisfactory. Its letterbox format is perfect for this movie, much better than an ananorphic format would have been.My only complaint is that although the DVD is advertised as "Closed-Captioned" - it has the "CC" logo on the case - the DVD has NO captioning. This is quite disappointing for those who need captions.
Still, this DVD is the best way to see "The Grass Is Greener" outside of a movie theater.
Movie Review: A bit of a Switch for Cary Grant
Summary: 4 Stars
This was a very interesting movie and one I had missed in my earlier selection of movie purchases. It is a later Cary Grant but still the same unique style and finesse. His charm comes through even though the plot is somewhat convoluted. The movie appears to reflect issues of marriage and fidelity for a changing society. It is a delightful romp into a more serious issue in a way only Cary Grant can deliver.Movie Review: Sophisticated Comedy
Summary: 4 Stars
The combination of Grant and Kerr is wonderful on the screen. I loved the mix of British humor and civility. Adding the dash of American brashness in Robert Mitchum, one can enjoy watching the wheels fall off. A very enjoyable movie!