The Arrangement Movie Review

The poster proclaims: "If your wife insists you see it together, be careful." It's one of the most hyperbolic taglines in movie history. Despite its slam-bang opening sequence, Elia Kazan's neglected movie (based on his own novel) eventually devolves into histrionics and silliness. Its strange third act almost kills the deal entirely. See if you agree.

The film opens as obviously mega-wealthy advertising executive Eddie (Kirk Douglas) wakes up and, silently, prepares for work. He frequently checks in to listen to his latest creation -- an ad for Zephyr cigarettes -- as he motors along to work. But suddenly, he decides to take his hands off the steering wheel. Then he puts them back on... and slams the car under the wheels of a tractor trailer riding alongside him. What the heck!?

Eddie wakes up in a hospital, finally says he won't be returning to work, and spends the days daydreaming. Those daydreams mainly concern Gwen (a platinum blonde Faye Dunaway at her most beautiful), with whom he had an affair, largely with the knowledge and implicit approval of his wife (Deborah Kerr, in her last film role before she retired for over a decade).



Baby on board.