No, this movie isn't anything special...but I like it very much any way. Yes, as one of our reviewers points out (again, as she does over and over for movie after movie), the two principals are too old for their parts. So what? Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball were very good together in this film...good chemistry. End of story. And anyone who constantly worries about the age of the actors -- except in rare extreme cases -- ought to quite watching movies and stick to reading non-fiction.
There's a lot that's predictable here, but it's still enjoyable. While very loosely based on a true story, it reminds me just a tad of "Cheaper By The Dozen" -- the real one (not the pap remake). And yes, we know the story has been fictionalized, so drop that old chestnut, too.
We usually think of Henry Fonda as a dramatic actor, but I always thought he had a flair for comedy. There's something about his delivery here that just hit the spot. Other than the drunk scene, this is not the sit-com Lucy. Lucy was a fairly good movie actress, as well, and she did well here. Poor Van Johnson; not a very good role for him...almost superfluous.
Of the child actors here, and they are legion, only Tim Matheson is a name most of us will recognize. I always felt he was an underrated actor, although he hadn't quite earned his water wings here, yet.
This film could have been sappy, but instead it's snappy, and still sentimental. It may not be your cup of tea, but it was a winner at the box office, and it's obvious why. Well worth a watch!
There's a lot that's predictable here, but it's still enjoyable. While very loosely based on a true story, it reminds me just a tad of "Cheaper By The Dozen" -- the real one (not the pap remake). And yes, we know the story has been fictionalized, so drop that old chestnut, too.
We usually think of Henry Fonda as a dramatic actor, but I always thought he had a flair for comedy. There's something about his delivery here that just hit the spot. Other than the drunk scene, this is not the sit-com Lucy. Lucy was a fairly good movie actress, as well, and she did well here. Poor Van Johnson; not a very good role for him...almost superfluous.
Of the child actors here, and they are legion, only Tim Matheson is a name most of us will recognize. I always felt he was an underrated actor, although he hadn't quite earned his water wings here, yet.
This film could have been sappy, but instead it's snappy, and still sentimental. It may not be your cup of tea, but it was a winner at the box office, and it's obvious why. Well worth a watch!