GRADE: 8
A man spends a summer day swimming as many pools as he can all over a quiet suburban town.
Director: Frank Perry
Country of Origin: USA
THOUGHTS
A fascinating time capsule of a movie from a magic era in cinema.
The slow mental breakdown of Burt Lancaster’s Neddy from all-American man made good into shattered failure of a family man unrolled expertly, from encounter to encounter. Details were meted out to the audience in a controlled, potent way. By the time Neddy reaches the community pool, he’s an utterly beaten figure.
The movie played like a pleasant dream that slowly devolves into a nightmare. It’s an excellent character study with greater ramifications for the American dream.
Lancaster was lovely, as always.
The movie played like a pleasant dream that slowly devolves into a nightmare. It’s an excellent character study with greater ramifications for the American dream.
Lancaster was lovely, as always.