The marital difficulties of four couples living in a southern California housing development become intertwined. Among the unhappy couples are ne'er-do-well Jerry Flagg and his long-suffering wife Isabelle, flirtatious Leola Boone and her sadistic husband Troy, hard-working Herman Kreitzer and his understanding wife Betty, and newlyweds Jean and David Martin.
Acting
Joanne Woodward's trapped desperation before her Oscar glory.
Writing
Philip Yordan's script weaponizes small talk into existential horror.
Direction
Ritt makes identical houses feel like panopticon cells.
Director
Martin Ritt
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ritt filmed in a real California development still under construction; some 'actors' were actual residents.
Released same year as 'Peyton Place' but with sharper teeth—this is the film the Hays Code barely let live.
US
