Good story, Not enough for a whole film

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Sorry, Paul Newman, I couldn't stand this movie. Newman directed his wife Joanne Woodward in the title role, and he repeatedly praised her acting, saying at times it was difficult to watch because it was so real. It was hard for me to watch as well, but not for that reason.Rachel, Rachel is about a spinster who lives with her demanding mother. Rachel has never been with a man, and she's terribly depressed at how her life has turned out. While she usually uses her mother as an excuse to stay stuck, when a man shows interest in her, she actually agrees. Is she feeling her ticking clock? Is her sanity about to snap, so she's not thinking clearly? Whatever the reason was for her unusual behavior, I didn't quite understand it.In any case, she's a very depressive and strange person. I didn't like her; I wasn't rooting for her. And I can only imagine how frustrated a modern feminist would be with this story. Why couldn't this woman find any other aspect of her life to improve? I tried hard to appreciate Woodward's performance, despite my intense dislike of her character. The more I tried, the more I couldn't stand her. Since I hardly think that was the intention of the film, I'm not going to recommend this one, unless you're looking for a new favorite worst movie.

This is the sort of movie the critics love, but it's not one that particularly appeals to me. My guess is that the original novel, "A Jest of God", was probably a lot more ironical and bitter than this soft, misty-eyed all-the-way with Joanne Woodward version, indulgently directed with more close-ups than a TV soapy, by husband, Paul Newman. Still, within its limits, the direction is occasionally rather stylish. And the film is attractively photographed on some occasionally effective locations. But somewhat disappointingly, the music score by Jerome Moross is both uncharacteristic and unobtrusive. The Geraldine Fitzgerald sequence seems to have nothing to do with the rest of the movie and is an embarrassment that should have been left on the cutting room floor. Otherwise, the movie is reasonably effective within its limits.

exploration of feelings nuances , force of an actress, a gray story, a splendid acting.salted flavor of a life who begins later and one of the greatest role of Joanne Woodward, the precise work of Paul Newman and something else, who seduce and fascinate the viewer.a story of balance between past and present, dream and reality, fear and need to be yourself.its secret - the precision of performance for discover, step by step, the character, the possibility to discover slices from yours existences and the measure of each scene. short, a film about self definition. almost a Madame Bovary version. except the last part. who, in this case, represents its essence. and light ray after a long cloudy period.

I'm very pleased that the several reviews posted here are all positive. This is a fine film, a fine directorial review from an equally fine actor, an outstanding acting performance from his wife and great support from the entire cast. This is definitely art house material but none the worse for that. Director Newman reveals a wonderful sensitivity matched by his eye for pictorial images, the small New England town is captured to perfection yet is light years away from Peyton Place and the theme of time passing is conveyed subtly in scenes of pastoral/agricultural life following the seasons. It's difficult not to praise it too highly.