A Certain Smile

Plot

Based on a novel by Francoise Sagan, A Certain Smile was a vehicle for Darryl F. Zanuck's latest protegee, Christine Carere. Parisian student Carere spats with her boyfriend Bradford Dillman, then impulsively agrees to accompany Dillman's worldly uncle Rossano Brazzi to the Riviera. At first thrilled at the prospect of an affair with the dashing Brazzi, Carere is disillusioned to discover that she is the latest in a long line of "diversions" for the old charmer. After a heart-to-heart with Brazzi's patient wife (Joan Fontaine), Christine returns to her boyfriend. The title song for A Certain Smile became a hit for Johnny Mathis, who sings the tune over the film's opening credits. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Review

A Certain Smile is overall only a middling little soap opera, but it's one that fans of the genre will probably enjoy just fine. This is largely due to the beautiful look of the film, which is glossed to a high sheen and is definitely all the better for it. Let's start with Milton Krasner's yummy cinematography, which gives us a moving photo album record of some absolutely gorgeous scenery. The location shooting is used to excellent advantage, as the vistas are stunning, and Krasner's camera knows just how to capture and frame it for greedy visual consumption. The set design is equally arresting, and Charles LeMaire and Mary Wills have provided costumes that fit the surroundings admirably. And it's hard to fault the beauty of the main players, from Christine Carere's fresh loveliness to Joan Fontaine's classic looks, or Rossano Brazzi's suave experienced features to Bradford Dillman's youthful vigor. As a silent movie, Smile undoubtedly pleases. But then sound is added, and the troubles begin, for the screenplay is woefully uninteresting, the characters difficult to care much about, and the dialogue predictable to a fault. Johnny Mathis' warbling of the agreeable title tune is a treat, but little else that comes out of a character's mouth pleases very much. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi

Cast

• Rossano Brazzi - Luc
• Joan Fontaine - Francoise Ferrand
• Bradford Dillman - Bertrand
• Christine Carère - Dominique Vallon
• Eduard Franz - M. Vallon

Kathryn Givney - Mme. Griot; Steven Geray - Denis; Trude Wyler - Mme. Denis; Renate Hoy - Mlle. Minot; Katherine Locke - Dominique's mother; Johnny Mathis - Himself

Credit

Charles LeMaire - Costume Designer, Mary Wills - Costume Designer, Jean Negulesco - Director, Louis Loeffler - Editor, Sammy Fain - Composer (Music Score), Alfred Newman - Composer (Music Score), Sammy Fain - Songwriter, Paul Francis Webster - Songwriter, Lyle Wheeler - Production Designer, John De Cuir - Production Designer, Milton Krasner - Cinematographer, Henry Ephron - Producer, Frances Goodrich - Screenwriter, Albert Hackett - Screenwriter, Francoise Sagan - Book Author

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