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40 Carats

1973, Movie, PG, 108 mins

40 Carats: Review

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Sometimes amusing adaptation of the French play that Jay Presson Allen turned into a Broadway hit for David Merrick. Ullmann, a successful Manhattan realtor, is just turning 40 (she was actually 37 at the time and looked much younger) and on holiday in Greece, where she meets 20-year-old Albert. They are attracted to each other and spend the night on the beach in each other's arms. Before he wakes, she exits and figures it was just an adventure and she'll never see him again. Back in New York, Albert turns up for a date with Ullmann's daughter, the radiant Raffin in her film debut. Ullmann learns that Albert is a whiz-kid businessman from an excellent family, and Ullmann's mother, Barnes, encourages him in his efforts to win Ullmann's hand. Ullmann attempts to quash her attraction to Albert, but everyone else seems to think the match is a good idea--her mother, daughter, ex-husband (Kelly), and even her wise-cracking business associate, Walker. Little by little, she's convinced that the age difference doesn't matter at all if two people love each other. The film ends as she and Albert walk hand in hand on the Greek beach where they spent that first night. Kelly was excellent as a grown-up Noel Airman (MARJORIE MORNINGSTAR) who masquerades as being 10 years younger than he is. The producers must have thought the script needed a lift, so they had Kelly and Barnes (the wife of the producer) do a little turn in a disco. Raffin and Bush have a subplot romance that takes up too much time for what it offers. Ullmann is beautiful but has none of the comedic timing to bring off such a gossamer plot. Too bad, because she does everything else well and can be funny in Swedish. Porter and the immensely talented Murphy are perfect as Albert's parents. In the end, it's a cheerful picture but misses the boat in terms of heavy comedy or even meaningful drama. leave a comment
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