Separate Tables (1958)

This film was not at all what I expected. When I saw that it starred David Niven, Deborah Kerr, and Rita Hayworth -- I thought cute & sweet. I was caught off-guard and loved every minute of it.

This is a deep film with deep emotions. Every single actor on the screen so inhabits their character that it's hard to see the seams. You gotta wonder about Gladys Cooper as Mrs. Railton-Bell, though. She did that same overbearing mother destroying her daughter thing in Now Voyager with Bette Davis. But make no mistake, she does it damn well. Watch Niven's performance, especially near the end in the hotel office. He's extraordinary and pitiful. Great film.

Problems? Yeah, just one. The bouncy score gets almost distracting.

B+