As a grandparent, I found the character played so expertly by Julie Harris troubling and a portent of a child who would grow into a troubled adult life. Frankie is not just a pre-teen with growing problems but a tantrum throwing, usually unkind and totally out of touch with reality. I think a child psychologist would confirm that diagnosis. There is too little at the end of the movie that would change my mind about Frankie's future. Short periods of "normal" behavior are common to such troubled souls. The few minutes at the end of the film left me thinking "how did she become as an adult". Perhaps if Harris's character began the film with her describing her difficult youth and recognizing the impact it had, the film would uplifted me, instead of leaving me thinking Frankie would become one of societies lost souls. I can't help liking happy endings, especially when someone triumphs over the most adverse of difficulties.
For all of kudos given to Harris, I think Brandon de Wilde is overlooked. Unfortunately, his early death ended what could have been an outstanding career. I could not help but notice that this film also cast former child star, Dickie Moore, as Dick Moore. He was the drunk soldier who befriended Frankie, and then tried to kiss her against her will. What could have been a harmless first kiss also turned into a major problem for Frankie's loss of reality. Her attempt to go with her brother on his honeymoon was the most troubling revelation that Frankie was a troubled child who needed more than a short talk. Ethel Waters plays a great role too. She is one of those persons who has more wisdom than most college professors, without ever going to college. And not even she could help Frankie.
So what do you have? A movie the critics loved, but cash customers didn't. A really great movie is liked by fans and producers. Without cash customers, we wouldn't have any film; and without art, we wouldn't have great movies. For this reason, A member of the Wedding doesn't quite live up to my standards of success.
For all of kudos given to Harris, I think Brandon de Wilde is overlooked. Unfortunately, his early death ended what could have been an outstanding career. I could not help but notice that this film also cast former child star, Dickie Moore, as Dick Moore. He was the drunk soldier who befriended Frankie, and then tried to kiss her against her will. What could have been a harmless first kiss also turned into a major problem for Frankie's loss of reality. Her attempt to go with her brother on his honeymoon was the most troubling revelation that Frankie was a troubled child who needed more than a short talk. Ethel Waters plays a great role too. She is one of those persons who has more wisdom than most college professors, without ever going to college. And not even she could help Frankie.
So what do you have? A movie the critics loved, but cash customers didn't. A really great movie is liked by fans and producers. Without cash customers, we wouldn't have any film; and without art, we wouldn't have great movies. For this reason, A member of the Wedding doesn't quite live up to my standards of success.