Review of Love with the Proper Stranger (1963) by Holly L — 30 Jun 2009

Finally going through old VCR tapes and came across this b&w gem. Watching young adults (not teens) dealing with an unwanted pregnancy in the early 60's was heartbreaking. The sweet decency of Steve McQueen, the anxiety and isolation of Natalie Wood, the smothering love of an Italian family, and the stark, over-exposed streets of NYC adds up to a truer movie than one would have thought.

Grab a couple of teenagers on a rainy day and watch a double feature: this one and Juno and have a talk fest about changing mores and steadfast families. Both are well done and bittersweet.