Tender Is the Night
Tender Is the Night

Movie spotlight

Tender Is the Night

1962
Movie
142 min
English

1920s, the French Riviera: wealthy expatriate Nicole Warren's mental illness strains her marriage to psychiatrist Dick. A young American actress named Rosemary Hoyt arrives and is drawn into their circle, becoming romantically involved with the older, married Dick and disrupting the fragile balance of the group. The thought of Dick possibly being attracted to another sends Nicole on an emotional downward spiral that threatens to consume them all.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes30%
Google Users62%
Director: Henry KingGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

The film chronicles the tragic story of Dick Diver, a brilliant psychiatrist whose life unravels as he becomes entangled with his wealthy, disturbed patient Nicole. Set against the glamorous backdrop of the French Riviera in the 1920s, their relationship deteriorates under the weight of Nicole's mental illness and Dick's own descent into alcoholism and professional decline. Their marriage becomes a complex dance of dependence and destruction, watched by the discerning eyes of those around them.

Critical Reception

Tender Is the Night was met with a largely disappointing reception from critics and audiences alike upon its release. Despite its source material being F. Scott Fitzgerald's acclaimed novel, the film adaptation was criticized for its uneven pacing, muddled narrative, and a perceived lack of emotional depth. While Jennifer Jones's performance as Nicole was sometimes singled out, the overall production failed to capture the novel's nuance and impact.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film struggles to adapt Fitzgerald's complex novel, resulting in a disjointed and melodramatic narrative.

  • Performances are adequate but fail to elevate the material beyond its perceived flaws.

  • Visually appealing but ultimately a hollow rendition of a literary classic.

Google audience: Audience reviews suggest a mixed to negative reception, with many finding the film to be overly long and less engaging than expected, though some appreciate the attempt to adapt the classic novel.

Fun Fact

Jennifer Jones, who plays Nicole Diver, was married to the film's producer, David O. Selznick, and it was reportedly his final production before his death.

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