The April Fools (1969)
Newly-promoted if none too happily married Howard Brubaker leaves a rowdy company party early with the stunning Catherine, whom it turns out is herself unhappily married — to the boss. They spend an innocent night in New York becoming more and more attracted to each other, so that when Catherine announces she intends to leave her husband and return to Paris Howard asks to go along too.
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Sorry, this movie sucks
Let's be realistic.
This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.
The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.
As I recall from seeing "The April Fools" back in the late '60s-early '70s, this film is worth seeing just for a brilliant performance by Sally Kellerman in the role of Howard Brubaker's long-suffering, and forever home-decorating wife, who springs to life fully-formed three decades before the first house renovation and make-over TV series ever aired. It's true that there's a lot of stylish fun in this film, but there's also a sense of regret and a longing for something that never quite worked out the way it should have for the Jack Lemmon character that gives "The April Fools" some real poignancy. But then, I've never found melancholy to be a particularly bad thing. The script is first rate, as are the cinematography, set-decoration and musical score by Burt Bacharach. If you can locate a copy of this gem, I highly recommend it.
This comic love fable has nothing really new to say, but Catherine Deneuve is beautiful as always and there are fun moments. Jack Lemmon had already beaten this character into the ground in the past, and it does become wearisome to watch him. Jack Warden and Harvey Korman are hilarious as drunken commuter train buddies of Lemmon and Peter Lawford is believable for the ONLY time as Deneuve's shallow, rich husband.Stuart Rosenberg was not really cut out to direct this kind of story, but does his best. Charles Boyer and Myrna Loy have presence as the older couple (still happy) after all these years. a 6 out of 10. Best performance = Jack Weston.
You have to watch this one a few times to get its rhythm. If you don't, you'll miss some gems. Jack Lemmon plays a man who finds himself disconnected from the world. No one wants to listen to him his wife, son, boss, lawyer friend, even the family dog.The movie lacks punch. And one reason is the real absence of romantic chemistry between Lemmon and Deneuve. Jack Lemmon, as an actor, needs a lively romantic love interest to better match his manic style. Deneuve comes off as beautiful, wooden and lethargic. But Lemmon's acting power is undeniable. So again we're treated to the brilliant, sad clown.Harvey Korman and Jack Weston serve up a hilarious train ride and domestic scene. Charles Boyer's energy and wonderful voice entertain. Sally Kellerman does well epitomizing the Lemmon character's plight.It's a late Sixties period piece and manages to capture some of that.
Critics often get it wrong and this movie is proof of that. If you watch this movie in the cold and analytical way that critics often do you will see its countless flaws. But if you do this you will also miss its warmth,charm the masterly performances of its cast and a super sixties Bacharach theme song. I urge people to see it and make up their own mind. My guess is you won't fail to be touched.