Pleine de vie

I discovered "Full of Life" when I was in High School in the early 1980's. I had never even heard of the film (a comment shared by several contributors to this site) when it came on late night television. It's funny to think a teenager could have been so moved by a film about experiences he has not yet had; but, I was. And as I have returned to this film throughout the years I find it becomes all the more perceptive and, yes, beautiful. "Full of Life" is about life, about the human comedy and it contains three extraordinary performances: one from the ever-amazing Judy Holliday, one from the underrated Richard Conte and one from opera star Salvatore Baccaloni, magnificent as the father-in-law. The screenplay earned a nomination from the Screen Writers Guild, but that is the only contemporary recognition it received. However, it remains--to those willing to discover it's sublime charm--a quietly moving, tender film for thoughtful viewers.

I have seen this film only a few times. The first time I turned it on after it had begun. The second time and all the times after, I looked for it. 1950's to the max. The conflict of the old and new ways, father and son. It is all here and told in a clear sweet story.

Full of life is a nice "little" film--and when I say "little", I mean it's a film with a very modest budget and pretenses. Sadly, although it's a film with very strong traditional family values, after it was made it was withheld from distribution because the Production Code Office would NOT approve the film because it showed a woman who was pregnant!! How showing a plump and pregnant film could harm the moral fabric of our society is beyond me--especially since the film celebrates life and family! The movie stars Judy Holliday and Richard Conte as a couple anticipating their first child. However, their life is seriously disrupted when Judy falls through the kitchen floor! It seems that termites have ruined the woodwork and the couple can't afford to have it fixed. So Conte asks his father (an experienced mason) to come to stay with them and fix the floor. However, this plan doesn't go as anticipated, as Dad is, at times, a pain in the neck while at other times he's wise and insightful. In the process, what it means to be family, religion and parenthood are all explored with a light and heart-warming hand. While not a great film, it's a lovely way to spend your time and I sure wish they made nice movies like this today!

John Fante always claimed that he wrote lousy screenplays,but I think he must have been fishing for compliments because his screenplay for "Full of Life" is every bit as funny and heart-warming as the book it is based on,which Fante also wrote.Whereas the novel was told from Fante's point of view,the movie really tells the story from his wife's point-of-view,and Judy Holliday was the perfect actress for the role.This is a wonderful little film from the days before America lost its innocence.

Those expecting a screwball comedy will be disappointed, as this is a tender, touching slice-of-life comedy. The incomparable Baccaloni is afforded some screwball moments having sympathy pains along with Judy's pregnancy, and he is marvelous. It works all-the-better, I think, that Judy contrasts him by playing this one straight-up. This is one of the few movies I've ever seen that depicts the fact that when a woman ishaving her first child, we are far from experts at why we feel the way we feel or how it needs to be handled. Richard Conte is winningly tender as the insecure husband with money worries but unconditional love. And the supporting cast is marvelous. I love this movie.