University of Virginia Library

Film Review

'The Happy Ending' Suffers,
But Saved By Strong Cast

By Paul Chaplin

— Ed.

Every so often a film will come
along that sounds like it will exploit
every cliche in telling a familiar
story. Fortunately, Richard Brooks,
writer and director of "The Happy
Ending," does not always submit to
such temptations. His film, which is
playing at the University, suffers
occasionally, but has its strongest
assets in its casting.

Jean Simmons plays Mary
Wilson, a wife who after fifteen
years is plagued with doubts about
her marriage. The potential divorce
theme has been seen many times
before, but Brooks adds a few new
touches. Mary Wilson, devouring
pills and consuming unlimited
quantities of vodka, has attempted
suicide.

Party, Sex

What Brooks presents as
representative of Mary's
environment is grotesque and
macabre. Mary's girl friends live
their afternoons in spas, drinking
J&B; Mary's husband and his
associates inhabit a world of
continuous cocktail parties and
affairs. In the evening, the two
sexes meet and either watch
television, or go partying and
discuss sex in marriage.

The anniversary party is a
faultless scene of such ugliness and
points out why Brooks' work is
often weak. In other scenes, the
characters tell us, "I am ugly. Look
at my ugliness;" the party scene is
not hampered by "confessions"
from the characters. Furthermore,
Brooks has bowed to cliches in the
early part of the film. ("I'm not
crying for them. I'm crying for
us.") There is no need for tired
dialog when actions are capable of
conveying the desired mood.

Director Vague

This criticism is minor, for the
writer-director's fault is vagueness.
The subject matter is controversial
in Brooks' intimations towards
extramarital affairs and the
institution of marriage. Since Mary
Wilson is the protagonist of the
film, there is a degree of security in
assuming her final actions are
sanctioned by Brooks, but there is
also an insecurity in not knowing
exactly what he feels.

When seeing "The Happy
Ending" it is important to
remember that the story is told
through Mary's eyes. At her
working she envisions Elizabeth
Taylor and Spencer Tracy in
"Father of the Bride." After the
anniversary party, she sits in a
smoke-filled room watching a late
movie. The black and white image
of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid
Bergmann in "Casablanca" stares
through the darkness as a thousand
violins obscure the dialog with "As
Time Goes By." The romance of
the movies is sharply contrasted
with Mary's alcoholism and suicide,
in scenes which sway close to
cinema naturalism. These two
polarities, plus the vagueness of
Brooks' script border schizophrenia
rather that menopausal anxieties.

Excellent Portrayal

Miss Simmons' portrayal of
Mary Wilson is excellent. Her acting
skills are especially evident in the
alcoholic side of the character, and
justify her nomination for an
Academy Award. John Forsythe the is
adequate as Mary husband, as is
Nanette Fabray as the maid. Dick
Shawn, Shirley Jones, and Lloyd
Bridges give nice performances in
the minor roles, but the surprises of
the film are Tina ("Gilligan's
Island") Louise and Robert
(Bobby) Darrin. While not brilliant,
these two have obviously improved
their acting capabilities.

Not everyone will enjoy "The
Happy Ending." Romantics may
cry, some will be confused by the
cutting and others will object to the
non-cliched ending. Those looking
for cinematic artistry should follow
Mr. Erickson's advice and see
"They Shoot Horses..." See "The
Happy Ending" if you are intrigued
by what might have been an
outstanding film.

(Now at the University)