"A Member of the Wedding" is one of those which should be rated 40-to-10.......Director Zinnermann and screen-writer Edna Anhalt knew exactly what they wanted from this large cast, and guided it to perfection. It is a disturbing movie, but anyone who is over 50 will know that it portrays the way Life often intrudes into one's life, leaving a trail of sadness and confusion.
In my opinion, users "denscul" and "creolesugar" have written expert and cogent comments to which I can add little, except my personal opinion.
TO THOSE WHO THINK JULIE HARRIS OVER-ACTED: they apparently haven't experienced difficulty in their own lives (lucky they!), and have no idea how adolescence determines what kind of personality one will have...whether they can find their way through that "coming-to-life" period and come-out whole, or damaged, as the character Ms. Harris ("Frankie") played. I agree she was shrill, at times; however, I know 42-year-old people who are just as psychotic: they cannot "talk" when confusion grips them, they shout. I supposed that Ms. Harris was certainly over 12-years-old, but she was effective and convincing in her role.
BRANDON DE WILDE: that he played the role in the stageplay and did such a good job in "Wedding" guaranteed he was a skillful actor. He did other acting-jobs - some on TV ("The Night they Gave Babies Away") - underlining the tragedy, like James Dean, that he died at a very early age, in the same manner. In "Wedding," his role was fashioned after a young Truman Capote....cross-dressing, even in that era, wasn't as unusual as some may think. It seems to me some footage was cut between the time "Bernice" told "John Henry" to go inside, and his death. Bravo! and RIP, Brandon de Wilde. To see how this "gamin" grew into handsome manhood, check-out "All Fall Down".
ETHEL WATERS: unknown to many people, what a powerhouse she was in every talent she possessed. She didn't need a script, just tell her what the story was about, and her own life could provide her with a diamond-cut performance. The song she sang in "Wedding" - I sing because I am happy" - told of the richness and the difficulty of her existence, because she overcame the tragedy of discrimination. Brava! Ms. Waters....one of the best actresses ever, Black OR white.
Although some people want to say "that is the Southern way of life," it takes place that way all over the world. The message this movie projects is that we must try to swim through many sharks and become morally strong humans, against all odds......they are high unhappiness will interrupt at any unknown time.
Do yourself a favor and watch "A Member of the Wedding" again. It just may change how you feel about your own life. Consummate entertainment....
In my opinion, users "denscul" and "creolesugar" have written expert and cogent comments to which I can add little, except my personal opinion.
TO THOSE WHO THINK JULIE HARRIS OVER-ACTED: they apparently haven't experienced difficulty in their own lives (lucky they!), and have no idea how adolescence determines what kind of personality one will have...whether they can find their way through that "coming-to-life" period and come-out whole, or damaged, as the character Ms. Harris ("Frankie") played. I agree she was shrill, at times; however, I know 42-year-old people who are just as psychotic: they cannot "talk" when confusion grips them, they shout. I supposed that Ms. Harris was certainly over 12-years-old, but she was effective and convincing in her role.
BRANDON DE WILDE: that he played the role in the stageplay and did such a good job in "Wedding" guaranteed he was a skillful actor. He did other acting-jobs - some on TV ("The Night they Gave Babies Away") - underlining the tragedy, like James Dean, that he died at a very early age, in the same manner. In "Wedding," his role was fashioned after a young Truman Capote....cross-dressing, even in that era, wasn't as unusual as some may think. It seems to me some footage was cut between the time "Bernice" told "John Henry" to go inside, and his death. Bravo! and RIP, Brandon de Wilde. To see how this "gamin" grew into handsome manhood, check-out "All Fall Down".
ETHEL WATERS: unknown to many people, what a powerhouse she was in every talent she possessed. She didn't need a script, just tell her what the story was about, and her own life could provide her with a diamond-cut performance. The song she sang in "Wedding" - I sing because I am happy" - told of the richness and the difficulty of her existence, because she overcame the tragedy of discrimination. Brava! Ms. Waters....one of the best actresses ever, Black OR white.
Although some people want to say "that is the Southern way of life," it takes place that way all over the world. The message this movie projects is that we must try to swim through many sharks and become morally strong humans, against all odds......they are high unhappiness will interrupt at any unknown time.
Do yourself a favor and watch "A Member of the Wedding" again. It just may change how you feel about your own life. Consummate entertainment....