When the film begins, you learn that Charlotte Bronn (Jean Simmons) had been in a mental hospital for a year and was ready for discharge. Oddly, it also seems as if there's been no family therapy or plans for after discharge...a bit of a mistake in the film, I think, as I cannot imagine the hospital doing this. Apparently, Charlotte's husband, Arnold (Dan O'Herlihy) also had not visited her during this year AND he has no plans on changing the family structure which existed when Charlotte lost her mind and attacked her step-sister, Joan (Rhonda Fleming). Yet, oddly, she's discharged. I think it would have made more sense having the staff argue with Arnold and mention these problems---and he checked her out against medical advice. This portion of the movie could have been constructed better.
When Charlotte returns home, you can almost instantly see what drove her off the deep end. Her step-mother (Mabel Albertson) is god- awful--a controlling know-it-all who would have probably gotten Mother Theresa to attack her after being around her more than five minutes! Albertson made a career out of playing these awful mothers...and anyone who knows 60s TV will instantly recognize her. As for the step- sister, there are hints through the course of the movie that Joan and Arnold MIGHT be carrying on behind Charlotte's back...or at least Arnold simply didn't care that Charlotte might think this. He was certainly very cold and very distant throughout the film. In many, many ways, the story seems like a primer to teach family members how to keep mentally ill loved ones mentally ill or drive them over the edge. Is there any hope for poor Charlotte and this kooky bunch? And what about the new boarder, Jake (Efram Zimbalist Jr.)?
As I was at one time a mental health therapist, I see that the film has an excellent point to make. Returning to the exact same unhealthy environment is a sure way for disaster if you have psychological or addiction issues. Changing the family or leaving them entirely when they are resistant to change is something most decent therapists would consider working on with their clients as they face discharge. Because of this, I really appreciate the movie and it talks about things rarely talked about in films about mental illness. It's often NOT just the mentally ill person that is sick but the family structure.
As far as entertainment value goes, this film is very enjoyable and late in the film you really begin to wonder what is actually happening. Is Charlotte losing her mind or is Arnold trying to drive her over the edge...or both? My only quibble (other than the one mentioned in the first paragraph) is that the film went on too long and the portion consisting of them going to visit Harvard didn't seem to quite fit with the rest of the movie. Still, very compelling and different..and the very end was great.
