Picnic (1955)



I caught the filmed version of a William Inge play Picnic yesterday. It starred William Holden and Kim Novak. It's mostly about jealously, and how no matter how much you dislike the way your life's turned out, there could be someone who wishes their life was like yours. It was pretty depressing up to the happy ending. Here's a synopsis:

The play begins with Hal arriving in a small Kansas town to visit Alan, his old college friend. Hal is hoping to secure a steady job working for Alan's father, but his rough manners and good looks quickly get him into trouble. He becomes attracted to Alan's fiancee Madge, the prettiest girl in town, while he is adored by Millie, Madge's younger sister. He also catches the eye of Rosemary, a teacher who rents a room from their mother. In the end, Madge cannot resist her attraction to Hal. She breaks off her engagement with Alan. Madge and Hal leave town, intending to marry.

That's a terribly simplistic breakdown of the story, but you get the idea. Holden was really ten years too old to play the role of Hal, and it seems really awkward for him to be in love with the 22 year old Kim Novak. I really preferred the subplot concerning the aging spinster teacher in love with the owner of the office supply store.

More important than the script or acting in the picture is the cinematography. Gorgeous. Sweeping, moving, immense and powerful. This film makes Kansas looking majestic and enthralling. I love Cinemascope. If it's on sometime, you should watch it, but I'm not telling you to rent it.

oh, here's a clip on youtube:

- posted by Mason @ 5:22 PM