Review of Tender Is the Night

Just like F. Scott Fitzgerald's novels...I found this very long film hard to swallow. What ruined it for me is my same objection to his novels, his female leads.... I hate them. This story is even more irritating in that our "hero" knows the lady in question is crazy before he marries and has kids with her. Don't get me wrong, F. Scott's novels are well written...in fact I would say beautifully written, but as a woman I object to these horrible women he portrays. They are cold, devoid of real feelings, self centered and completely out of touch...but beautiful. Gag! Gag! And gag again! Jennifer Jones is miscast as a similar character.

Rich lush settings in this film and some decent costuming, my main objection is to the storyline and Jennifer Jones.

This the very depressing story of a psychiatrist who meets a beautiful patient and thinks he has "cured" her, so he marries her and has a few kids with her...meanwhile she is still suffering from mental illness and they are both living off of her inheritance which is controlled by her sister "baby". Ugly people and an ugly story as this idealistic psychiatrist spirals downward to the big D.

I can't say I recommend this film...although the acting of Jason Robards is exceptional, it is based on a classic however which might be enough to recommend it to some...be prepared for a depressing story however.