I really dislike Debbie Reynolds, but that wasn't the reason I didn't enjoy The Pleasure of His Company. The story started off great, but the direction it took during the second half (as well as the disappointing ending) left a bad taste in my mouth. It could have been touching, leaving audiences to swallow the lumps in their throats as they compliment Fred Astaire on his class and maturity. Instead, it was flippant and immature - if a screenplay can be ascribed those adjectives.
Young Debbie is getting married, and her world-traveling, international playboy father (Fred) is coming home to walk her down the aisle. Her mother, Lili Palmer, hates her ex and believes he'll ruin everything and make it all about him. When Fred does show, that's exactly what he does. He steals all the attention, throws his money around, emasculates Lilli's husband Gary Merrill, and even makes Debbie doubt her fiancé Tab Hunter.
You can easily imagine this family comedy on the stage, and in fact, Charles Ruggles reprises his Tony-winning performance in the movie. It reminded me of the British play and movie The Reluctant Debutante, with Rex Harrison and Kay Kendall trying to involve themselves in their teen daughter's love life - only not as enjoyable. Fred Astaire often played lovable scoundrels, but in this movie, his actions had serious consequences. It would have been a much better story if his character was given an arc, or if just once, he decided to do the right thing. It won't give you a very good first impression of him if you've never seen him before.
Young Debbie is getting married, and her world-traveling, international playboy father (Fred) is coming home to walk her down the aisle. Her mother, Lili Palmer, hates her ex and believes he'll ruin everything and make it all about him. When Fred does show, that's exactly what he does. He steals all the attention, throws his money around, emasculates Lilli's husband Gary Merrill, and even makes Debbie doubt her fiancé Tab Hunter.
You can easily imagine this family comedy on the stage, and in fact, Charles Ruggles reprises his Tony-winning performance in the movie. It reminded me of the British play and movie The Reluctant Debutante, with Rex Harrison and Kay Kendall trying to involve themselves in their teen daughter's love life - only not as enjoyable. Fred Astaire often played lovable scoundrels, but in this movie, his actions had serious consequences. It would have been a much better story if his character was given an arc, or if just once, he decided to do the right thing. It won't give you a very good first impression of him if you've never seen him before.