APPOINTMENT, THE (director: Sidney Lumet; screenwriters: James Salter/from the story by Antonio Leonviola; cinematographer: Carlo Di Palma; editor: Thelma Connell; music: John Barry; cast: Omar Sharif (Federico Fendi),Anouk Aimee (Carla),Lotte Lenya (Emma Valadier), Fausto Tozzi (Renzo), Didi Perego(Nanny), Ennio Balbo (Ugo Perino); Runtime: 115; MPAA Rating: R; producer: Marty Poll; MGM; 1969)
“I found it a chore to sit through such claptrap.“
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
Another bomb for director Sidney Lumet (“Daniel”/”Gloria”/Running on Empty”). It’s based on the story by Antonio Leonviola, and is written by James Salter. Not much to this soaper, except it’s trite, dull and long.
Wealthy Rome lawyer Federico Fendi (Omar Sharif) falls in love with the alluring fashion model Carla (Anouk Aimee) and marries her despite warned by his best friend and colleague, her former fiance, Renzo (Fausto Tozzi), that she works secretly as a high-priced call girl. The insanely jealous Federico trails her, but never catches her in the act. The unstable Carla commits suicide. It’s then that hubby realizes his neurotic wife is innocent and he messed up a good thing by his snooping.
The uninspired tragic melodrama was made worse by the stiff performances. I found it a chore to sit through such claptrap.
REVIEWED ON 5/13/2011 GRADE: C-
Dennis Schwartz: “Ozus’ World Movie Reviews”
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