A Touch of Class (1973)

A Touch of Class is directed by Melvin Frank who also co-writes the screenplay with Jack Rose. It stars Glenda Jackson, George Segal, Paul Sorvino, Hildegarde Neil and Mary Barclay. Music is by John Cameron and cinematography by Austin Dempster.Two great lead performances and a sharp script propel this delightful sex comedy forward. Plot is no great shakes but it matters not in truth, divorced English woman meets American married man, an attraction is there and they agree to go away for a brief holiday to indulge in some stress relieving sex. Upon arrival at the Spanish resort, a number of things get in the way of the couple actually copulating. Once achieved, things start to go a bit sour, and the bickering and withering sarcasm starts. But hold on, there's more twists to come, right up to the bittersweet finale.Genuine laughs are dotted throughout, Jackson's waspish tongue an utter delight, and the pic never teeters over the edge into sentimental hog- wash. It's obviously a product of its time, though the extra-marital affair theme is daringly mounted for the era. A lovely film, funny, poignant and literate. Score! 8/10

The "Love Affair" has been a constant in movies since their beginning and will probably continue to be so as long as cinema is around and society is the way it is with men and women. So comes "A Touch of Class", directed by Melvin Frank, which feels completely like a frolic. It manages to successfully depict a cheating relationship with a homespun, almost as if it were normal, feel. The dialog is a mix of cheekiness and older generation frankness. Not having seen many '73 movies, Glenda Jackson is the stand-out performance and apparently received an Academy Award for her work, which seems too high a praise - but the performance is still good to be sure. Filming locations were on locales, and Paul Sorvino looks a bunch younger than most of the movies I've seen him and his full of spirit and even sage. Segal runs his mouth like typical New Yorker. Definitely worth a watch for the performances, sometimes the dialog, and peek back into the 70s yester-decade.

Not as good as I remember it - but then, what is? - A Touch of Class has dated pretty well, though there is no way this film would be made today; the moral ambiguity and the downbeat ending would give the money men a fit of the vapours.What does date the film more than anything is the music, which is for the most part archetypal, early seventies, easy-listening pap which slushes up loudly during 'romantic' moments. Having said that though, there are two really nice music cues towards the end of the film: in the scene where Segal's character leaves a Beethoven concert to meet with his lover intent on ending their relationship, the music he had been listening to in the concert hall continues under him leaving, and then their meeting. It's nicely done. The other moment is in the the final shot of the movie. As Segals's character clears out his stuff from the flat a song plays on the soundtrack. The last thing he does as he leaves is lift the arm off the record playing in the gramophone. The song stops. The movie ends. It's neat.Another dating moments occur when Jackson's character attempts to pay for the taxi and, later, buys a packet of oregano. In the taxi she offers 60p as her fare. By today's standards this is a laughably small amount for a taxi fare and the line stopped my credibility dead in its tracks till I remembered the film was 30 years old. So, future script writers of the world, if you intend your script to stand the test of time, inflation proof it. Don't put specific amounts in the mouths of your characters. Have them hand over cash and say "That's the right amount," or not say anything. Just show them the money, let the viewer fill in the amount in their head.

I had waited a very long time to see this movie and when I got the DVD I wasn't disappointed.Seeing the chemistry between Segal (who I never realized was such a useful actor) and Jackson (who I furrowed my brow at in Women In Love) was magic to me. And I felt sorry when they were going through hard times and I felt amused when Jackson did her best to keep up appearances.I liked the way the movie ended as well. Everything neatly in order unless you count the shattered remains of broken hearts.I would definitely wish to see this movie again.