Screen legend and Academy Award-winner Bette Davis ("All About Eve," "Dark Victory") stars with Emmy-nominee Barry Sullivan ("Rich Man, Poor Man") in this compelling look at why people drift apart in marriage and seek divorce, with all its consequences. With Frances Dee ("Of Human Bondage"), Richard Anderson ("The Six Million Dollar Man") and Otto Kruger ("High Noon").

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As a rich and self-satisfied matron who is suddenly confronted by her man with the rather surprising declaration that he would like a divorce, Miss Davis runs through the standard stages of confusion, resentment and revenge with the ease and the confident assurance of an experienced rider on a steeplechase course. She faces his declaration with elegant horror and shock. She sits down and reviews her life in flashback with stubborn pride and furrowed brow. She then goes after her humble husband (and his innocent girl friend) with vindictive wrath, knocking him down with legal blackmail and bleeding him financially white. And when she has dismally discovered the lonesomeness of an old divorcée, she breaks down in the most heart-rending fashion and asks her ex if he doesn't think they might try again.

All of these fancy exercises Miss Davis performs most capably, achieving a surface appearance of feminine churlishness that might almost be real. Likewise, the luscious surroundings in which R. K. O. has arranged for her to perform have, at least, the beguiling intimations of unlimited wealth and taste. But, unfortunately, the script by Bruce Manning and Curtis Bernhardt includes everything but a simple and convincing demonstration of the reasons why a marriage hasn't clicked.

To be sure, they suggest in their stagey flashbacks (which look like a Broadway set-designer's dream) that the lady was ruthlessly ambitious and double-crossed a friend to get ahead. They also suggest that the lady is quite a considerable snob. But this isn't news to the husband. He has known it, apparently, for some time. In short, the random conflict of personalities is not sufficiently sharp to make the rift in the marriage either credible or oozed with real distress.

Excerpt from Bosley Crowther at the NY Times located HERE