An emotionally fragile older woman (Merle Oberon) embarks on an ill-fated love affair with a handsome young artist (Robert Wolders) while traveling through Mexico's Yucatan peninsula...
Merle Oberon was in her sixties when she produced and starred in this ill-advised vanity project and even some good plastic surgery couldn't disguise that fact. What was she thinking? The movie co-starred her much younger lover and bombed big time at the box office with one reviewer noting that the leading lady's face was pulled back so tight she only had three expressions left, a waxwork worthy of Madame Tussaud. There isn't much of a story to this static travelogue directed by Daniel Mann (after Vincente Minelli wisely bowed out), just romantic drivel at its corniest -right down to fireworks going off outside the hotel window the first time the odd couple make love. They also run to each other with open arms at one ridiculous point -well, he runs while she just stands there waiting with arms outstretched since moving slowly among the mossy Mayan ruins lest she slip and break a hip was the best Merle could muster. The black fright wig cascading down her brittle back -and all those pastel tops & slacks- made her look possessed by the spirit of a 60's cocktail waitress but at least she got one final husband out of it, the young Dutch waxwork Robert Wolders who carried Madame's walker and make-up case until it was time for her close-up with the Higher Power. More power to him.
Merle Oberon was in her sixties when she produced and starred in this ill-advised vanity project and even some good plastic surgery couldn't disguise that fact. What was she thinking? The movie co-starred her much younger lover and bombed big time at the box office with one reviewer noting that the leading lady's face was pulled back so tight she only had three expressions left, a waxwork worthy of Madame Tussaud. There isn't much of a story to this static travelogue directed by Daniel Mann (after Vincente Minelli wisely bowed out), just romantic drivel at its corniest -right down to fireworks going off outside the hotel window the first time the odd couple make love. They also run to each other with open arms at one ridiculous point -well, he runs while she just stands there waiting with arms outstretched since moving slowly among the mossy Mayan ruins lest she slip and break a hip was the best Merle could muster. The black fright wig cascading down her brittle back -and all those pastel tops & slacks- made her look possessed by the spirit of a 60's cocktail waitress but at least she got one final husband out of it, the young Dutch waxwork Robert Wolders who carried Madame's walker and make-up case until it was time for her close-up with the Higher Power. More power to him.