Review of Joy House (1964) by Jay N — 16 Oct 2010

Typically I'm a viewer who relishes French drama/suspense & romance entries, but this one seemed more the snoozer.

A Parisian tennis pro/playboy (Delon) is on the run from goons bearing a lethal message sent by the spouse of his most recent extramarital romp. His laying low in a Riviera soup kitchen leads to meeting - and holeing up in the dusty mansion of - 'les felins,' the enigmatic & lovely duo of Lola Albright and Jane Fonda.

Unfortunately for Delon, the potential menage a trois soon enough starts shaping up much more like a sleepover with Norma Desmond and Norman Bates.

2.35:1, Cinemascope-equivalent. The film's best recommendation to today's viewer is historical; Fonda was only a few of years out of the acting gate and (despite her father's brand name) had only logged parts little more than eye-candy. Then she ski-daddled to Europe to snag this role, into which she could sink her teeth.

Her performance stands taller than that of pretty-boy Delon and Albright, and so reveals her future promise. When Fonda's scurrying about her household chores, she strongly portends her talented delivery in "Barefoot in the Park" just three years later. Proven in this film, Fonda was back in Hollywood within the year, showcasing in/as "Cat Ballou." And with French New Wave director Roger Vadim as husband-in-tow.

Mostly shot on location in Nice. The B&W widescreen camerawork & composition is strong, but it still doesn't serve to steam up the lukewarm suspense/drama under which it simmers.

Having previously viewed "Pierrot Le Fou," it seems this film's imagery of mid-Century France would have been far more satisfying in color. The image quality is good, however the disc construction is below-average.

RECOMMENDATION: Not a bad film but, for most viewers not Fonda fanatics, better off left dangling near the bottom of their view-queue.