THE HIGH COST OF LOVING
US, 1958, 87 minutes, Black and white.
Gena Rowlands, Jose Ferrer, Jim Backus.
Directed y Jose Ferrer.
The High Cost of Loving is an entertaining domestic comedy-drama of the late 50s. It features Jose Ferrer and was directed by him. The film is of interest as it introduced Gena Rowlands, John Cassavetes' wife. Ferrer had achieved success on the stage and in films, winning an Oscar for 1950’s Cyrano de Bergerac. He had moved into direction with The Shrike and Cockleshell Heroes in the mid-fifties. He was to work in both roles through the 60s and into the 70s. Gena Rowlands was to have a successful career as a dramatic actress, most especially in her husband's films, especially A Woman Under the Influence for which she was nominated for an Oscar.
The High Cost of Loving reflects the American way of life in suburbia in the 50s and has some wise comments to make.
1. The significance and tone of the title? Light and serious aspects? The focus of attention?
2. How enjoyable, interesting? The audience ability to identify with the characters and themes?
3. The use of widescreen, black and white photography? The detail of the home, of the office? Musical score?
4. The audience's identification with the principal characters? The initial eight minutes of the film before either of them spoke? The impact of the husband and wife together, the quality of their life and relationship, getting up, homep the bonds between them? The situation for revealing about the promotion, and the birth of the baby?
5. The idea of success for each of them? In their work? Quality of life, family? The delays in achieving their success?
6. The detailed presentation of life at the office? The varying personalities, the ethos of the firm, the atmosphere of Capitalism, business, success? The focal luncheon and each of the office character's reaction to the luncheon? The store that they set by it? The way they spoke? Their wives?
7. The individual working in this kind of world? Responsibilities, goals, talent, initiative? Jim Fry as belonging to this world? His contribution, his life involvement, the effects on him? People liking him. disliking him?
8. The irony of the mistake about his name on the luncheon list? The great repercussions on his work. attitudes, relating to people, reflecting on the significance of his own life, imagining the worst. anger with Virginia? Was this a healthy thing to happen to him as regards examination of his life?
9. What happened to Jim Fry during the film? To Virginia? What values did they realize that life was based on?
10. The contrast with Steve and Sid? Their attitudes to the luncheon? The way they talked, and so positively? Sid on the phone with Virginia, at the dinner? Steve and his backing up of Jim?
11. The film's insight into the life of the man involved in business? Coping, jobs, the possibility of being fired, getting older? The importance of the contacting of Mr. Mason, the significance of the interview with him?
12. The happy ending and the invitation to the luncheon? Did Jim justify his promotion? His letter, his interview with the business chiefs? His final talking about his speech? Would he revert back into complacency?
13. Was the happy ending appropriate for the film? Success with the job and the family? The values behind this film? How particularly American was it? How universal in its presentation of character and questions?
