Psyché 59

Françoise des Ligneris's novel "Psyche '59" becomes a fine dramatic vehicle for the always-sympathetic Patricia Neal, here playing the wife of a wealthy businessman who is suffering from 'hysterical blindness' after a mysterious fall; when sister Samantha Eggar comes to live with her after a failed attempt at marriage, years-old tensions (both resentful and sexual) between Eggar and brother-in-law Curt Jurgens rise to the surface. As photographed in glossy black-and-white by the esteemed Walter Lassally, the picture is a shiny, classy piece of goods, yet director Alexander Singer takes an awfully long time to warm up. The plot (or rather, the point inherent to the plot) doesn't make itself known for at least an hour into the proceedings, while the pretty images and visual tricks eventually become a nuisance. Singer doesn't appear to wrap things up cohesively with his finale, yet it's actually his best bit: Neal's mental handicap and Eggar's need to be the proverbial thorn in the rosebush are dealt with in solely visual terms, and the silent emotions released are triumphant. A near-miss, but worthwhile for fans of psychological melodramas verging on soap opera. **1/2 from ****

As had so often been the case in the past the best thing about Alexander Singer's "Psyche '59" is Walter Lassally's luminous cinematography. This British drama revolves around Patricia Neal, blinded in an accident but aware that her blindness is psychosomatic and not physical. She's married to Curd Jurgens and has a flightly younger sister, (Samantha Eggar), who comes to stay. There's a fourth character played by Ian Bannen who wanders in and out of their lives.

The movie wasn't a success despite its excellent cast and has virtually disappeared. Singer came to the film fresh from his cult classic "A Cold Wind in August" and perhaps more was expected of him than he delivered. It doesn't really work as a thriller; plot-wise it's something of a one-trick pony and outside of its cast of four there is no-one to latch on to and consequently few red herrings. It might have worked as a tale of sisterly rivalry if it wasn't so banal and what almost amounts to a subplot involving Bannen's character almost proves more interesting.

It's not really a bad film, (though the ending is gob-smackingly awful), just a very strange one and it's easy to see why it flopped. It's the kind of film that might appeal to the so-called intelligensia looking for meanings that aren't really there. See it by all means; just don't expect too much.

Obviously based on a novel (and on a novel by a woman too). I saw this film on TV forty years ago and remembered only the menacing conversation the heroine has with her mother, but that was sufficient to make me want to take another look at it again.

Having enjoyed enormous critical acclaim a couple of years earlier with 'A Cold Wind in August', Alexander Singer blew all the clout he'd gained with that freak success in this elaborate, breaktakingly pretentious folly about the love lives of the fabulously wealthy; and found himself condemned to spend the rest of his career in television. But 'Psyche 59' has awarded him the last laugh, it exists.

A weird hybrid of 'The Miracle Worker' and 'The Pumpkin Eater' (both of which ironically starred Anne Bancroft, who replaced Patricia Neal when she nearly died following a series of debilitating strokes while filming '7 Women' in 1965, barely a year after she'd won an Oscar for 'Hud'). Had Ms Neal died this film would probably be better remembered today, and it would certainly make it an even more vivid experience to watch than it already is. She wears a succession of fabulous outfits devised by Julie Harris plus a pair of those chic sunglasses that blind people always do in the movies, the photography by Walter Lassally is stunning, and the restless score by Kenneth V. Jones creates a similar mood to that his music lent soon afterwards to Roger Corman's 'The Tomb of Ligeia'.

Definitely a film to be watched at least once.

Allison Crawford is blind, though there's nothing physically wrong with her eyes. What did Allison see that was so shocking it mentally snapped her vision closed?

This concept alone opens up lots of possibility doors and windows. However, the screenplay writer Julian Zimet decided to go for the weakest of the scenarios available. When the mystery is revealed, though you've probably worked it out well before then, you may feel a little letdown... I know I did.

I don't know if this is the same climax the Francoise Des Ligneris novel has, not having read it, but it could have been a little stronger and believable. This, however, is a small point as the direction and the acting should have you hooked before you get close to the ending.

Alexander Singer uses his cast well and isn't adverse to use them to create a few iconic shots. Some nice close-ups are stronger thanks to the casts acting skills. You can see the worry, the concern, the cunning, and the realisation on their faces. I have to admit I still believe both Patricia Neal and Ian Bannen are miss-cast. They are both good in their portrayals but don't quite hit the mark. It's Samantha Eggar who steals the show as the cunning and oh-so-sexy and sensual sister, Robin. I have to say I even loved the sci-fi reading Grandma played brilliantly by Beatrix Lehmann. Though it's Curd Jurgens as Eric Crawford who surprised me the most. Being the crux of the story, you would have thought it strange for him to be cast as this type of character. But he comes across as strong and reassured that I could believe the notion thoroughly.

This is a good film that verges on greatness. If the story had been reworked a little tighter and the Neal and Bannen characters had been better cast, well, who knows? As it stands though, I would gladly recommend the film to all lovers of mysteries, thrillers, and dramas alike. This is a nice way to spend a wet Sunday afternoon. Along with with your beloved, a warm fire, and a tipple of one kind or another.

Those who think of Patricia Neal as a strong lady who can take care of herself, rent Psyche 59, a thriller. She's blind and completely dependent on the kindness of her husband, Curd Jurgens. Curd is a wonderful companion, waiting on her, showing her patience and kindness, and providing a personal maid to attend her when he's not around. Ian Bannen is also devoted to her, but since she's a married lady, he knows he can only be there for her as a friend.

The story would be interesting enough with just the above paragraphs as a synopsis, but it gets even more complicated and intriguing when Patricia's sister, Samantha Eggar, comes for a visit. Young, pretty, sexy, she's the kind of sister no one wants to have - let alone a blind woman who fears she's burdening her husband! Samantha constantly tries to entice Curd, and since he's a red-blooded man (and a very sexy one, if you've seen some of his other movies), he can't stay immune to her forever...

This thriller is entertaining, but I wouldn't really recommend watching it with your sister, or your husband if you have a sister. It has strong performances and a solid story, but it does have a European flavor that sometimes comes across as odd in America. Check it out to see what you think!

DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. During some of the flashbacks, there are some blurred swerving camera motions, and that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"