Catherine Turney's screenplay and Bretaigne Windust's direction are too melodramatic for an incisive character study of two discontented people in love and not melodramatic enough for a fun ladies weepy. Therefore, like most films that fall between two stools, this one is disappointing and easily forgettable. What does stay with you is the usual good work of Bette Davis, the absurd casting of Jim Davis, who excelled in western psycho villainy, as a tortured priest (kinda like Lee Marvin playing King Lear) and a chance to see the fine 40s and 50s character actor John Hoyt show his considerable skill in portraying jaded cynics (as he did with principal Warneke in "Blackboard Jungle"). Give it a C plus.
Review of Winter Meeting
