The Worst Film Ever

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

I started this movie out of boredom and was pleasantly surprised at how entertaining it is. Matthow and Burnett are so smart-alecky perfect that their continuous banter didn't get old at all. An adult drinking incessantly in movies seemed so normal back then but would now be frowned upon. I had no idea Carol Burnett had ever made anything like this. I have luckily never had to date after my 20's, but I imagine adult dating in the 70's to be actually pretty close to what is portrayed in this movie. The first part of the movie is very light and funny. The middle gets pretty deep. They try to handle serious subject matter in a light hearted way but it doesn't always work. It is still worth watching as far as I am concerned. It was good enough to compel me to write this. Entertaining without being preachy.

Anyone not knowing what PETE 'N' TILLIE was about would think they were about to see a riotous comedy--and for at least half of the time they would be right, since the stars are WALTER MATTHAU and CAROL BURNETT.The first half dealing with the meeting and dating of Pete and Tillie almost seems like a reprise of Matthau and Elaine May in THE NEW LEAF. Plenty of wisecracks. But then, they marry and things take a turn for the worse when their young son becomes ill from leukemia and passes on. Since Tillie takes it worse than Matthau, there's an emotional segment there for Burnett and she handles it well as a serious actress. GERALDINE PAGE has a nice cameo as the woman who gets them acquainted at one of her parties.A few other things happen after they decide to divorce, but the viewers are left wondering whether they will or won't get together again. I won't tell you here, you have to find out for yourself.It's better when it's striving for laughs but, on the whole, it's an uneven blend of comedy and drama that works most of the time.

No, it's not a comedy, though there's some classic Matthau/Burnett wisecracking in the beginning, during the courtship. Once their son Robbie is born, life goes the course it often does in Peter de Vries novels (it's adapted from "Witch's Milk"), chronicling the ups and downs of suburban American life. There are some splendid turns by René Auberjonois and Geraldine Page. And check out Tillie's devastating undermining of Pete's shallow paramour over cocktails.Spoiler: when their son Robbie comes down with terminal leukemia, the story takes somewhat predictable turns, morphing from what might at first have seemed a comedy into a reach-for-the-hankie melodrama.I give it a ten, though, because of the performances and the mise-en-scène.

Carol Burnett and Walter Matthau are middle aged singles at one of socialite Geraldine Paige's famous "parties". Seemingly inexperienced Burnett is unsure whether the wise-cracking and somewhat "obviously interested" Matthau is the real deal. Eventually they hit it off, get married, and have a son, whom they both adore. Time passes, Burnett learns that Matthau freely shares his sexual talents with other women, which he does not attempt to hide. When their school age son is diagnosed with a terminal illness, Burnett breaks down. The couple separates, all friends and acquaintances suggest Burnett get a divorce.The ending may be somewhat predictable, but it's a much needed "up" from the depressing 20 minutes preceding it. The brief interlude with Burnett and Paige in a "cat fight" is another welcomed distraction from compounding dramatic scenes. Matthau's constant witty remarks become an expected staple, although he does show emotion about the loss of his son.This is definitely an "adult film", although rated PG. Many issues about urban life and society in general are tackled. Pre-teens would certainly be confused and unable to make sense of some of the plot. Fans of the leads will enjoy this film