The film's title is derived from a quasi pop psychology phrase that one of the main characters keeps uttering which is eventually adopted by another. Featuring the directorial debut of George Roy Hill, with an Isobel Lennart screenplay, this is an atypical Tennessee Williams drama because it's as much a comedy as an exploration of family issues (e.g. with one's parents) and marital problems (which require a "period of adjustment" to resolve).
Like Williams's play(s), it contains the usual unique and over-the- top characters, all of whom speak with a Southern accent, played by Tony Franciosa, Jane Fonda (in her fifth film), Jim Hutton, Lois Nettleton, John McGiver, Mabel Albertson, Jack Albertson, and briefly, uncredited appearances by John Astin, Norman Leavitt and Jesse White (among others). Upon seeing this film, there's no mistaking Timothy Hutton for anyone other than Jim's son. Though it's not a great movie, it did receive an Oscar nomination for its B&W Art Direction-Set Decoration and it is fairly entertaining, even for those who may not normally enjoy the author's more serious works.
While recovering from his post-Korean War shakes at a Baptist hospital in St. Louis, George Haverstick (Hutton) becomes fond of student nurse Isabel (Fonda), who'd given him sponge bath massages, such that he asks her to marry him when he's discharged. She accepts, but is soon disillusioned when she sees that he's bought a retired hearse to drive them to their planned honeymoon on the beaches of Miami, Florida. Isabel becomes even more upset when she learns that George had quit his job. Plus, their wedding night dinner is spent at a Tennessee truck stop where George seems more interested in drinking with the all male clientele and contacting his friend from the war, Ralph Baitz (Franciosa) ... than consummating their marriage! They check into a rundown, roadside motel that night, but it's later revealed that Isabel slept in a chair (and why). The next day, the Haversticks are shown pulling up to Baitz's middle class, suburban home.
Meanwhile, Ralph has had troubles of his own. He'd married his boss's daughter, the homely Dorothea (Nettleton). But after six years, Ralph too had become disillusioned. He'd gotten the financial security he'd thought he'd wanted, but his figurehead position didn't let him utilize his talents or make key decisions. Even though his father-in-law, Stewart P. McGill (McGiver) had personally picked the attractive war hero for his daughter AND had married the boss's daughter Alice (Mabel Albertson) himself, he kept Ralph in a subservient, stifling job. The night before Christmas Eve, Ralph, who'd always refused to kiss his father-in-law's butt anyway, had gotten drunk and finally told Isabel's father off. On Christmas Eve day, Ralph quits in lieu of apologizing to Stewart but, when he gets to the McGill's home, doesn't receive the support he'd expected from his wife. Surprised by Dorothea's attitude, they argue over the incident, and his concern that their son (Scott Robertson, uncredited) enjoys playing with the doll from his mother-in-law. Ralph then leaves his family at his in-laws and returns home just before the Haversticks arrive.
Upon their arrival, George greets his friend Ralph, introduces Isabel, retrieves her suitcases, tossing them in the door, and then drives off! Though both are stunned, and Ralph has problems of his own, he serves as a calming influence for Isabel, saying more than once that marriage requires a "period of adjustment". During this time, (unseen) Dorothea and her mother's maid (uncredited) come by to retrieve her son's Christmas presents, and get the wrong idea about Ralph and Isabel. Without any ready cash, Ralph calls Smoky Anderson (Astin) to sell his house; he plans to leave town. Leavitt and White are among some Christmas carolers who are going door to door; at each house, they're invited in for a drink of holiday cheer, so they're slowly becoming intoxicated! Eventually, it comes to light that George, who had bragged about his many sexual conquests in Korea, is actually a virgin, something that Ralph had known all along. He helps Isabel to better understand her newlywed husband's false bravado. She thinks this must be the cause of George's shakes, especially after he returns and she eavesdrops on a conversation between the war buddies (they'd flown over 70 missions together), which includes discussion of a future cattle business opportunity.
About this time, Dorothea's parents arrive to remove their Christmas gifts, past and present, from the home and stop Ralph from selling it. By now the staggering carolers have attracted the attention of a police officer who is called by Mr. McGill to assist them (e.g. hoping he'll arrest Ralph). This leads to everyone being taken before the incredulous, yet judicious desk Sergeant (Jack Albertson) downtown. Afterwards, Ralph and Dorothea finally have another chance to talk, and then reconcile, setting an example for George and Isabel (eavesdropping again) which leads them to their own moment of truth and reconciliation.
Like Williams's play(s), it contains the usual unique and over-the- top characters, all of whom speak with a Southern accent, played by Tony Franciosa, Jane Fonda (in her fifth film), Jim Hutton, Lois Nettleton, John McGiver, Mabel Albertson, Jack Albertson, and briefly, uncredited appearances by John Astin, Norman Leavitt and Jesse White (among others). Upon seeing this film, there's no mistaking Timothy Hutton for anyone other than Jim's son. Though it's not a great movie, it did receive an Oscar nomination for its B&W Art Direction-Set Decoration and it is fairly entertaining, even for those who may not normally enjoy the author's more serious works.
While recovering from his post-Korean War shakes at a Baptist hospital in St. Louis, George Haverstick (Hutton) becomes fond of student nurse Isabel (Fonda), who'd given him sponge bath massages, such that he asks her to marry him when he's discharged. She accepts, but is soon disillusioned when she sees that he's bought a retired hearse to drive them to their planned honeymoon on the beaches of Miami, Florida. Isabel becomes even more upset when she learns that George had quit his job. Plus, their wedding night dinner is spent at a Tennessee truck stop where George seems more interested in drinking with the all male clientele and contacting his friend from the war, Ralph Baitz (Franciosa) ... than consummating their marriage! They check into a rundown, roadside motel that night, but it's later revealed that Isabel slept in a chair (and why). The next day, the Haversticks are shown pulling up to Baitz's middle class, suburban home.
Meanwhile, Ralph has had troubles of his own. He'd married his boss's daughter, the homely Dorothea (Nettleton). But after six years, Ralph too had become disillusioned. He'd gotten the financial security he'd thought he'd wanted, but his figurehead position didn't let him utilize his talents or make key decisions. Even though his father-in-law, Stewart P. McGill (McGiver) had personally picked the attractive war hero for his daughter AND had married the boss's daughter Alice (Mabel Albertson) himself, he kept Ralph in a subservient, stifling job. The night before Christmas Eve, Ralph, who'd always refused to kiss his father-in-law's butt anyway, had gotten drunk and finally told Isabel's father off. On Christmas Eve day, Ralph quits in lieu of apologizing to Stewart but, when he gets to the McGill's home, doesn't receive the support he'd expected from his wife. Surprised by Dorothea's attitude, they argue over the incident, and his concern that their son (Scott Robertson, uncredited) enjoys playing with the doll from his mother-in-law. Ralph then leaves his family at his in-laws and returns home just before the Haversticks arrive.
Upon their arrival, George greets his friend Ralph, introduces Isabel, retrieves her suitcases, tossing them in the door, and then drives off! Though both are stunned, and Ralph has problems of his own, he serves as a calming influence for Isabel, saying more than once that marriage requires a "period of adjustment". During this time, (unseen) Dorothea and her mother's maid (uncredited) come by to retrieve her son's Christmas presents, and get the wrong idea about Ralph and Isabel. Without any ready cash, Ralph calls Smoky Anderson (Astin) to sell his house; he plans to leave town. Leavitt and White are among some Christmas carolers who are going door to door; at each house, they're invited in for a drink of holiday cheer, so they're slowly becoming intoxicated! Eventually, it comes to light that George, who had bragged about his many sexual conquests in Korea, is actually a virgin, something that Ralph had known all along. He helps Isabel to better understand her newlywed husband's false bravado. She thinks this must be the cause of George's shakes, especially after he returns and she eavesdrops on a conversation between the war buddies (they'd flown over 70 missions together), which includes discussion of a future cattle business opportunity.
About this time, Dorothea's parents arrive to remove their Christmas gifts, past and present, from the home and stop Ralph from selling it. By now the staggering carolers have attracted the attention of a police officer who is called by Mr. McGill to assist them (e.g. hoping he'll arrest Ralph). This leads to everyone being taken before the incredulous, yet judicious desk Sergeant (Jack Albertson) downtown. Afterwards, Ralph and Dorothea finally have another chance to talk, and then reconcile, setting an example for George and Isabel (eavesdropping again) which leads them to their own moment of truth and reconciliation.