Kirk Douglas

Kim Novak

Barbara Rush

Ernie Kovacs

Walter Matthau

Virginia Bruce

John Bryant

Kent Smith

Helen Gallagher

Roberta Shore

Nancy Kovack

Sue Ane Langdon

Paul Picerni

Timmy Molina

Sheryl Deauville

Judy Lang

George Boyce

Bart Patton

Evan Hunter

Richard Quine

Charles Lang

George Duning

Charles Nelson

Ross Bellah

Jean Louis

Louis Diage

Romance

Drama

Strangers When We Meet

Richard Quine Productions

Bryna Productions

Columbia Pictures

United States of America

CinemaSerf

When successful architect "Larry" (Kirk Douglas) meets bored "Maggie" (Kim Novak) at the school bus stop after dropping off their respective children, you can just tell that things are going to start smouldering! He's married to "Eve" (Barbara Rush) and she to prominent writer "Roger" (Ernie Kovacks) and it's the latter man who has employed the former to design and build a new hilltop home for his family. So far, it's all just a routine family melodrama that, for my money anyway, Douglas brings very little to. Luckily for us, though, we also have the presence of the rather odious neighbour "Felix" (Walter Matthau) who says very little but sees everything. Of course, the grass is always greener and the cheating couple gradually realise that though there is certainly gratification to be had, happiness is a completely different thing. Their secret, shallow, lives have brought them a sort of love, but it's hollow and unsustainable and the innocent amongst them start to pay the price for their infidelities. There is a degree of chemistry between Douglas and Novak, Ernie Novaks is also quite effective but it's really down to Matthau who features sparingly, but very potently, with even an hint of menace towards the end. It ends with more of a whimper than a bang, which I felt was a bit underwhelming after two hours of a rather stringy score and lots of coastal cinematography. I might have enjoyed this more had Douglas been replaced by a stronger, more characterful actor- but as it is, it's still quite an interesting take on the ramifications of the so called "easy win".

English

Sam Hamm on STRANGERS WHEN WE MEET