A poor script, directed by Sidney Lumet, looses the social observation and satiric tone of Mary McCarthy's novel turning it into a glossy, breezy, soap opera. The characters, their problems and relationships are none too compelling, and who is the audience supposed to identify with? The film moves along but, it's going nowhere in particular; it's talky, choppy, and too long (21/2 hours). In addition, the set design is drab and cluttered. The film's main interest is seeing a number of actors in their earliest roles. Elizabeth Hartman is touching as Priss, Bergen is striking as Lakey, Kathleen Widdoes effective as Helena, Carrie Nye scores a bullseye as Norine, Larry Hagman is a believably despicable Harold while Jessica Walter has a field day as Libby. Joanna Pettet has the most substantial role of her career as Kay, but Shirley Knight(Polly) and Hal Holbrook are saddled with boring roles, and play them accordingly. Joan Hackett is fine though she has little to do, and last and least is Mary-Robin Redd as Pokey. Boris Kaufman gets the credit for the cinematography, and Sidney Buchman the blame for the shallow script. Lumet, the director of The Hill, Fail Safe, Prince of the City, and 12 Angry Men, is out of his element here.
