This movie was based on an unproduced play, but on stage would have been perfect because of the elements it contains: a dysfunctional family, lovers, infidelty and a hot summer.
Shirley Booth and Anthony Quinn are a married couple with Earl Holliman, Shirley MacLaine and Clint Kimbrough as their three children. But the birthday dinner for Quinn doesn't go as planned, and soon we discover why: he has an affair with a younger woman, and he fights with his elder son before the party ends. And he dies in a road accident with his lover, after fighting with his wife at home.
Although similar in some aspects to ''Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'', it's really unique. And the actors here shine in their roles, Quinn is perfect as a bad guy, but here is also frustrated. 1958 must have been one of Shirley MacLaine's best years in her career, because she gave two of her best performances: here and in ''Some Came Running''. Eileen Heckart is wonderful as Shirley Booth's friend that gives advices on how to act when her husband is angry.
Well, this is not a movie for fans of lighter movies, but it's good to all fans of deep movies full of twists and turns.
Shirley Booth and Anthony Quinn are a married couple with Earl Holliman, Shirley MacLaine and Clint Kimbrough as their three children. But the birthday dinner for Quinn doesn't go as planned, and soon we discover why: he has an affair with a younger woman, and he fights with his elder son before the party ends. And he dies in a road accident with his lover, after fighting with his wife at home.
Although similar in some aspects to ''Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'', it's really unique. And the actors here shine in their roles, Quinn is perfect as a bad guy, but here is also frustrated. 1958 must have been one of Shirley MacLaine's best years in her career, because she gave two of her best performances: here and in ''Some Came Running''. Eileen Heckart is wonderful as Shirley Booth's friend that gives advices on how to act when her husband is angry.
Well, this is not a movie for fans of lighter movies, but it's good to all fans of deep movies full of twists and turns.