In 1956 actor Paul Newman established himself as someone
with star potential when he was featured in SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME. Two
years later he found himself involved in this film, based on several William
Faulkner stories. In addition to that Newman found himself involved with his
co-star, Joanne Woodward, who he went on to marry and remain married to until
his death in 2008.
Newman stars as Ben Quick, a young man accused of barn
burning and forced to leave his home. His reputation stems from the fact this
was a favorite preoccupation his father had when angered at someone. Moving on
Ben arrives in Frenchman’s Bend, Mississippi, a town controlled and nearly all
owned by wealthy Will Varner (Orson Welles).
Varner is a hard man, disappointed in his children who seem
to be following their own paths rather than what he’d like them to. Son Jody
(Anthony Franciosa) would rather spend his days doing little and fooling around
with his wife Eula (Lee Remick). Nothing he does pleases his father and any
attempts he makes to do so seem to fail consistently.
Then there is daughter Clara (Woodward). Uninterested in any
of the businesses Will owns, she pursues her own dreams as a bookish style schoolteacher,
unmarried and approaching spinsterhood at the ripe old age of 23. Clara has
been dating Alan Stewart (Richard Anderson) for some time now, hoping he might
make the decision to ask for her hand. As the film progresses we find out he
has a reason not to, one subtly hinted at but controversial for the year 1958.
Into this mix waltzes Ben. Self-assured, cocky and willing
to do whatever it takes to move himself forward, he takes on a piece of
property Will has that needs work. But in Ben Will sees a bit of himself, a man
who takes action and wants to move up the ladder. Will may be a self-made man
and wealthy but he will never be a part of the Southern aristocracy that comes
from old money. In Ben he sees someone that could be a potential husband for
Clara as well as someone to carry on his legacy. Of course this doesn’t sit
well with his real son Jody.
Not only that, Clara has no interest in Ben either. At least
outwardly. But he courts her, woos her and tries to get her to break down her
defensive wall. It is this interplay between the two characters mixed with the
forceful presence of Will and the maneuvering manipulations of Jody that brings
out a dramatic tale that is enjoyable from start to finish.
Directed by Martin Ritt (who would go on to direct Newman
again in HUD and HOMBRE), you can feel the muggy warmth of the south oozing
from the screen here. It just makes you sweat watching it. Newman offers an
incredibly smooth performance here and Woodward shows that she his equal with
her portrayal of Clara. Franciosa is a bit outmatched by these two and Remick
is pretty much window dressing in the role of the town flirt. Welles comes off
well in a role that calls for him to be pompous, forceful and caring at the
same time.
The movie is enjoyable to watch, one that somewhere along
the line I’ve missed but was glad to finally get around to. Twilight Time has
done their usual amazing job of offering this in a beautiful presentation in
1080p hi def. Extras include an isolated music track, HOLLYWOOD BACKSTORIES:
THE LONG HOT SUMMER featurette on the making of the film, a Fox Movietone
newsreel and the original theatrical trailer. As with all of their titles this
one is limited to just 3,000 copies so if interested order one today.
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