CatchyJ-1

It's hard to watch a film set in 1944 when everyone (especially the women) have hair, make-up and clothing directly from 1959 when the film was made. Its drives me crazy because I find it hard to get a sense of the time when it looks completely different than it's supposed to be. Barbara Nichols is absolutely excellent in her role however and Tab Hunter is hot. Sophia is very good and quite comfortable in working in English by this, her fourth film to be made in the US. It's just too bad that no one cared to make films look historically accurate especially when hair, make-up and costume greats read a script that says the action takes place in a certain era yet choose to ignore such an important element. I think a lot of it also had to do with the star wanting to look perfect for that time without a care to the script.

I enjoyed the music in this film immensely but the thing that drove me absolutely crazy was the costumes. This film is supposed to take place from 1910 - 1938 yet Donna Reed is in full 1950's dress including her hair and makeup. It actually screws up your whole perception of when the story takes place. Would it have killed them to dress her and the other women in period dress? There is one sad attempt at a 20's outfit where Donna is at a speakeasy and has on a cloche hat with her bangs in spit curls but of course her dress is a total 50's Dior 'New Look' with a cinched waist and huge skirt. It's also sad that original Benny Goodman vocalist, Martha Tilton, is only on film for like 1 minute singing one short refrain.

I just HATE that annoying scene where Tomei's getting ready in her hotel room with help from Downey and he's anticipating her every move by handing her her jewelry before she can finish asking for each piece. For example "Can you hand me my..." and he gives her the necklace before she can finish. This goes on way too long until they're running out of things for her to put on so she actually asks for an anklet!! And she wears an anklet on her date. I was only semi-annoyed by this film until she asked for that sickeningly tacky anklet and the film was immediately ruined for me. This film has some beautiful scenery of Italy but come on - anyone who wears an anklet is pure trash. No wonder Marissa Tomei never works - casting directors, producers and directors who've seen this are so turned off by her 'jewelry' they never wanna see her again. The costume designer should have been run out of town (also for those giant over-sized suits with cheap black shoes they put Downey in) and the screenwriter fined a million for that scene.