A well-off lawyer and his socialite wife have a few episodes in their lives during the 1930s and into the 1940s. The man is a rather overbearing patriarch and the wife is a doting housewife who doesn't quite know how to handle her adult kids.There are a few subtle lessons here about living above average in the Midwest during tough times for the rest of the world. Otherwise, there sure isn't a lot of drama, or really much of any consequence.The film may have been intended as a character study, but even as such, the characters are just not that distinctive. They do not achieve much and they impart little to the world.Newman and Woodward, married in real life longer than almost any other Hollywood couple, are reliably good actors, and I just wish they had more to do here. She has some laments about his lack of affection for her, and he thinks some modern changes are foolish. Still, that was not enough to make me care.If you're a fan of the actors, or the era, I think you will find this quaint. There is certainly nothing here to upset anyone, nor to provoke much at all.

Nearly a quarter-century after its release, this film still packs an emotional wallop. One of the very few Hollywood films to level any kind of criticism at the young generation, specifically big- city people, the story in many ways seems even more timely today (in 2005) than when it was made.Paul Newman gives one of his best performances in this film, and character actor Joanne Woodwardbecame a household name thanks to his dramatic turn in the movie's climatic scene near the end. The actress is simply herself, which makes her the weakest element of the entire film and the only reason not to give this classic effort a perfect 10.The sex is minimal, the physical violence practically non-existent (except for a short, tense scene between Newman and Fields) and the dialogue tight and gripping. Still worth your time, 25 years later.

the two books this movie was based on are some of my favorites. they perfectly, poignantly, and sometimes humorously capture the lives of an upper middle class couple of their time. the movie did a good job getting some parts right, but of course it pales in comparison to the two books. for those who live in or know kansas city well, its an interesting film. i live in the neighborhood in which it was set and go to the same places the characters did. otherwise, its still an interesting study of the lives of its time period.

The movie was just little slow & Boring, however everyone did well. Woodward was good as a well done housewife and look after her son & daugther, Paul New's charcactor was wonderful ! But the ending disappionted me. The movie should have been better. 6/10