Now this isn't to say it's a bad film-it's rather likable. Had this film not co-starred Marilyn Monroe and had the whole "floating dress" scene not been included, then I doubt if anyone would have paid much attention to this small film. How all this plays out is rather cute and is reminiscent of later films such as GUIDE FOR THE MARRIED MAN-but it is a tad better and more enjoyable. However, later in the film, his sexy new neighbor (Marilyn Monroe) appears in his life and seems to offer him the ultimate temptation. This extensive use of the monologue shows that this was originally a play and the film takes place almost exclusively in Ewell's apartment. Throughout all these struggles, he talks about his inner thoughts to the audience. During their absence, his male ego begins acting up and he wrestles with a need to feel viral as well as be a decent man. Tom Ewell plays a dull guy whose wife and son are away for the summer. Reviewed by MartinHafer 7 / 10 Decent but way overrated THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH is one of those comedies that never loses its sparkle, even after repeated viewings. Wilder's and Axelrod's script fairly crackles with one-liners, as well as a series of in-jokes referring to Charles Lederer (Wilder's fellow-scriptwriter), as well as a reference to Monroe herself. Kruhulik (Robert Strauss) witnesses what happens, and promises to leave Sherman alone. Monroe is far more seductive in an interior sequence, where she hides behind a chair and stretches out one leg, and then another. Wilder shoots this sequence very discreetly, leaving everything to the viewer's imagination. THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH contains the memorable sequence where she stands over a grille and lets the wind from a subway train beneath blow up her white dress. On the other hand she respects his love for his wife Helen (Evelyn Keyes), and thus refrains from making a pass at him. It's clear she is attracted to Sherman - not because of his physical attributes, but because at heart he is an extremely sweet man. Monroe is equally memorable in her role as the not-so-dumb blonde from Denver. Although Sherman imagines himself as the Great Lover, he will never be able to fulfill his role. Sherman tries to embrace her, and the two of them end up falling off the piano bench in an ungainly heap. When the latter scene is re-enacted for real, The Girl is completely uninterested in Rachmaninov. Later on he casts himself as a Noel Coward-like figure speaking in a cod-British accent, as he plays Rachmaninov on the piano while trying to seduce The Girl (a reference to BRIEF ENCOUNTER). The fantasy-sequences are extremely funny, with Ewell imagining himself as the protagonist in a comic reworking of FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, rolling about on the beach with a woman not his wife. He walks from side to side of the frame, his shoulders hunched, almost as if he is bearing the cares of the world on his back. Most of them are shot in single takes in the Shermans' apartment: Ewell's India-rubber face changes rapidly as he debates the morality of inviting The Girl down for a drink. In his rumpled gray suit, with tie askew, he embarks on a series of monologues where his better nature competes with his carnal desires. Įwell gives a stellar performance, the best in his forty-five year acting career. Nothing actually happens, but the promise persists. However his best intentions are frustrated by the presence of The Girl (Marilyn Monroe), who has moved into the apartment above him. The story is a simple one: left on his own during a hot New York summer, Richard Sherman (Tom Ewell) tries his best to avoid the temptations of drink, tobacco and an extra-marital affair. Reviewed by l_rawjalaurence 8 / 10 Delightful Comedy that Never Loses its LusterĮven after sixty years, THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH retains its freshness and bounce - a delightful testament both to the script (by Billy Wilder and playwright George Axelrod) and the quality of the performances. Any lust he may be feeling is played out in his own imagination however. It's all innocent though there is little doubt that Sherman is attracted to her. The beautiful but ditsy blond from the apartment above his catches his eye and they soon start spending time together. With his family away for their annual summer holiday, New Yorker Richard Sherman decides he has the opportunity to live a bachelor's life - to eat and drink what he wants and basically to enjoy life without wife and son.
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