while the theme has been done, certainly for its time this was a bit experimental. Fredric March portrays a 59 year old garment district manufacturer who, recently widowed, is tired of life. He has many friends, a successful business and all the accouterments, but something is missing.
Enter his employee, Betty Preisser (Kim Novak). Recently divorced from a sporadically employed musician, she is uncertain and depressed about her situation. March (Mr. Kingsley) tells her that she must make a decision in life, that it is a sign of maturity. It is not certain at this point whether he is self-serving, or actually trying to help the girl.
The relationship develops as they start to date. There are some amusing scenes with family members, as Novak's friend Marilyn (well-portrayed by Lee Grant) tells her that she should return to her first husband who is still "madly in love with her".
This is a good film for its era, in that there are no pat answers. March's dilemma is that he truly is in love with a young woman 30 years his junior. An interesting story, and well worth more than one viewing. 8/10.
