Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

A friend of mine once commented that "It's easy to tell the difference between the writing of William Faulkner and Tennessee Williams. There's more drinking and drugs in Williams stuff." As a person who generally doesn't much care for the writing of either, I'm not in a real position to judge the insightfulness of the comment. I did think about it this afternoon, however, as I watched The Long, Hot Summer. Perhaps the thing that surprised me most was that though it was based on Faulkner's writing, I still enjoyed watching it; give credit to an amazing cast for that.

In the movie, Ben Quick (Paul Newman) is a drifter with a reputation for barn burning. While hitch-hiking, he is picked up by Clara Varner (Joanne Woodward) and a friend of hers on their way back to the small Southern town in which they reside. A quick look at the sign as one enters town reveals that just about all the business's are owned by someone named "Varner". In this case, all the Varners are the same single man, Will Varner (Orson Welles), Clara's father.

Having made his fortune, Will Varner now works to manipulate his family into procreating. Clara, who happens to be single, comes in for most of the attention in this regard. She's already an "old-maid" of 23. The man she's been seeing for several years seems content to sit on the front porch and drink lemonade. He doesn't seem interested in matrimony, however.

There's another offspring in the Varner house, Clara's brother Jody (Anthony Franciosa). He's married to a modern Southern belle named Eula Varner (Lee Remick). Will Varner seems disappointed in Jody's lack of killer instinct for the business's he owns.

The pace of life in this Southern story is slow and relaxed, and the movie honors that. It unfolds and reveals itself slowly. Sadly, I suspect most youngsters wouldn't get into the movie as they're used to a more fast-paced form of story telling. Because it unfolds at such an easy pace, however, there is chance to let the actors give their characters more depth. With talent of the magnitude in this film, giving actors time to demonstrate their craft is a treat.

The town and the surrounding landscape become another character in this movie. The surroundings are lush. Their are ramshackle huts, broken down manses, and spectacular estates with huge columns out front and terraces running around floors. The foliage is splendid. The draping branches of willows offer a special romance. One can almost smell the sweet scent of blossoms filling the air.

When it was made, this film was no doubt a very risque piece of work. Clara Varner actually declares that "Girls think about sex, too," and Eula declines Jody's offer a noon-time tryst by saying, "I wish you'd find some other recreation." Then there is 61 year old Will Varner who has a mistress (Angela Lansbury)who, when he tells her he's too old to remarry, informs him that she's "in a position to know better."

The movie is rich in dialogue and, at times, feels more like a stage play than a movie. This is a movie that, by its pacing alone, hearkens back to another era. If you're ready for a leisurely couple of hours watching dysfunctional people rediscover each other, The Long, Hot Summer is for you.

As much as I enjoyed it, it will probably be a while before I'm ready to watch this one again. Still I can certainly give it a definite thumbs up.

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older