'The Tender Trap' had a lot going for it, namely with the casting of Frank Sinatra, Debbie Reynolds (my main reason in seeing the film in tribute to her), David Wayne and Celeste Holm. Charles Walters has also had his share of solid films.
And that is what 'The Tender Trap' is, a solid film. This said, it is not going to appeal to everybody and considering the high calibre of talent it could easily have been great. It's pleasant, it's charming, it's well-performed and it's well made, it just needed more spice and tenderness with it feeling a little bland in places.
It is lacking in the romantic department and is uneven in the comedy. There is a lack of chemistry between Sinatra and Reynolds, their chemistry is clinical and not particularly warm and one never gets the sense that they are in love, partly because of the character and writing that Reynolds has to work with but it was like she and Sinatra didn't get on.
Reynolds' role and material don't play to her strengths, an example of a normally adorable and very bubbly screen presence that captivates in charm made to look stiff and annoying. The script is uneven, it sparkles with the supporting cast (especially with Celeste Holm) but falls flat with Reynolds, the wittier moments not always being sharp enough.
However, Walters does do a competent job directing and 'The Tender Trap' is filmed with real elegance with the production values in general being sumptuous and charmingly 50s (for someone who really likes 50s production values the look of the film was in no way a flaw). One of 'The Tender Trap's' biggest pleasures is the timeless title song, beautifully and intimately staged and after hearing Sinatra sing it with such impeccable control and phrasing and his unmistakable timbre one cannot imagine the song sung by anybody else other than him. The music overall fits beautifully.
While the writing is uneven, there are parts that do sparkle in a witty way, there are a few poignant moments and while some of what it has to say does not hold up now and may not be in the best of taste for some for me those parts illuminated still. The story charms a good deal and doesn't bore.
Sinatra is perfectly cast and has endearing charisma. The supporting cast are even better, especially incandescently classy Celeste Holm and hilarious David Wayne (the morning-after scene is an absolute joy). A pre-Morticia Addams Carolyn Jones is also notable.
On the whole, charming and pleasant but could have been better. 7/10 Bethany Cox
And that is what 'The Tender Trap' is, a solid film. This said, it is not going to appeal to everybody and considering the high calibre of talent it could easily have been great. It's pleasant, it's charming, it's well-performed and it's well made, it just needed more spice and tenderness with it feeling a little bland in places.
It is lacking in the romantic department and is uneven in the comedy. There is a lack of chemistry between Sinatra and Reynolds, their chemistry is clinical and not particularly warm and one never gets the sense that they are in love, partly because of the character and writing that Reynolds has to work with but it was like she and Sinatra didn't get on.
Reynolds' role and material don't play to her strengths, an example of a normally adorable and very bubbly screen presence that captivates in charm made to look stiff and annoying. The script is uneven, it sparkles with the supporting cast (especially with Celeste Holm) but falls flat with Reynolds, the wittier moments not always being sharp enough.
However, Walters does do a competent job directing and 'The Tender Trap' is filmed with real elegance with the production values in general being sumptuous and charmingly 50s (for someone who really likes 50s production values the look of the film was in no way a flaw). One of 'The Tender Trap's' biggest pleasures is the timeless title song, beautifully and intimately staged and after hearing Sinatra sing it with such impeccable control and phrasing and his unmistakable timbre one cannot imagine the song sung by anybody else other than him. The music overall fits beautifully.
While the writing is uneven, there are parts that do sparkle in a witty way, there are a few poignant moments and while some of what it has to say does not hold up now and may not be in the best of taste for some for me those parts illuminated still. The story charms a good deal and doesn't bore.
Sinatra is perfectly cast and has endearing charisma. The supporting cast are even better, especially incandescently classy Celeste Holm and hilarious David Wayne (the morning-after scene is an absolute joy). A pre-Morticia Addams Carolyn Jones is also notable.
On the whole, charming and pleasant but could have been better. 7/10 Bethany Cox