Two different social classes collide when Cary Scott, a wealthy upper-class widow, falls in love with her much younger and down-to-earth gardener, prompting disapproval and criticism from her children and country club friends.
A masterpiece (1955) by one of the most inventive and recondite directors ever to work in Hollywood, Douglas Sirk.
– Dave Kehr,
Chicago Reader,
4 Sep 2004
fresh:
Beneath the stunningly lovely visuals -- all expressionist colours, reflections, and frames-within-frames, used to produce a precise symbolism -- lies a kernel of terrifying despair
– Geoff Andrew,
Time Out,
9 Feb 2006
rotten:
Solid and sensible drama plainly had to give way to outright emotional bulldozing and a paving of easy cliches.
– Bosley Crowther,
New York Times,
25 Mar 2006
rotten:
Hudson is handsome and somewhat wooden. Laconic of speech, and imbued with an angel's patience and understanding, it's at times hard to understand his passion for the widow, what with pretty girls just spoilingfor his attention.