Review of Two For The Seesaw

Introduction

Translating a stage play to the screen is a surprisingly difficult feat, despite the apparently similar disciplines required, as stage and screen are fundamentally different media. Cinema is a visually dynamic art form, where theatre is more static, more immediately involving with an audience. Stage plays that are translated verbatim to the screen can often seem terribly dull, and it requires an innovative director to give a play life beyond the stage. Robert Wise brings William Gibson`s Two For The Seesaw, an unconventional romance to the screen and the results are striking to say the least.

Jerry Ryan (Robert Mitchum) is a man who has come to a crossroads in his life. He was a successful lawyer in Nebraska, had been married for 12 years and worked in his father-in-law`s firm. Then his marriage fell apart. He comes to New York to take stock of his life, to make a new beginning, although initially it`s hard to pull himself from the depression that his circumstances have left him in. It`s when he goes to a party that he meets vibrant dancer Gittel Mosca (Shirley MacLaine) that his life begins to change. Gittel works hard to makes end meet, and her generous nature sees her taken advantage of time and again. Both see a chance for a life together, but Jerry is still tied to that old life in Nebraska.

Video

Yet again, we are assailed by another release from the depths of the MGM back catalogue. The 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer that Two For The Seesaw is surprisingly good though. The monochrome print is sharp and clear throughout, and the only real problem is some print damage that affects a few scenes. The occasional scratch or a bit of dirt are acceptable, but some thin vertical lines on the print mar some scenes. Two For The Seesaw is a masterpiece of cinematography though, with 1960s New York brought to atmospheric life with the strong light and shade of monochrome. The exterior shots linking the scenes are a moody travelogue of the city, while the set pieces are powerfully composed and delightful to watch. The film is a succession of moving tableaux that are a master class for budding filmmakers.

Audio

The sound on the other hand is given the typical back catalogue treatment. DD 2.0 English, German, French, Italian and Spanish tracks are all determinedly mono, and there are moments of hiss as well. The music by André Previn is definitely of its time, and provides a fitting accompaniment to the striking visuals. Also as you would expect from a film of the period, the dialogue is sharp, witty and intelligent. Subtitles are available in Dutch and Portuguese, as well as the soundtrack languages.

Features

Watch as a tumbleweed rolls mournfully past.

Conclusion

Excellent direction from Robert Wise and absolutely astounding cinematography from Ted D. McCord, combine with excellent performances from Robert Mitchum and Shirley MacLaine to make Two For The Seesaw well worth watching. The screen actors take the stage piece and give it an intimacy that goes beyond its stage roots. Having said that, the stage isn`t completely left behind, as most of the dialogue and interactions are confined to set pieces. Robert Wise makes the weakness of the stage, the static nature of the medium, into a strength, and the sets are nothing if not as visually striking as the exterior scenes.

If there is a problem, it`s in the casting of Robert Mitchum. While his performance is good, and there`s no denying the chemistry with MacLaine, the character of Jerry Ryan is written as something of a weak willed man, who married into money, and has been living, in his own mind at least, off the charity of his wife`s family. His disenchantment with the way his life has turned out is perhaps the motivating factor in the breakdown of his marriage, and the reason he travels to New York to find himself. It`s very difficult to see Mitchum as that character, and his smouldering charm and self-confidence seem a little misplaced here. That he sees in Gittel a damsel in distress so to speak, a woman in need of rescuing, whom he can support is more understandable, and it`s easier to see his wish to dominate that relationship in that respect. It isn`t a crippling piece of miscasting, but it is odd nonetheless.

It`s a story of two wounded souls who come together in an unconventional relationship, and in the process heal each other. The film follows this relationship as they get to know each other, pick at each other`s flaws, and gradually bare their souls. As is the way in many of these stories, each learns more about themselves than they do about the other, but it`s fascinating to see the process unfold, to watch these characters grow over the two hours of the film. The ending may be what you would least expect, but it is uplifting nonetheless.

Two For The Seesaw is not a film without its flaws, but the positives outweigh the negatives. The film makes a fascinating character study over a languid two hours, and the look of the piece is absolutely divine. It`s well worth a watch.