Dalbert Pringle
Well, I have to tell ya - Had Sophia Loren not been in The Black Orchid, then, you can bet, I would have probably rated this picture somewhat lower than I did.Not only do I consider Loren to be one of the greatest beauties of her day, but, besides being just another pretty face, she was really quite a competent actress, as well. Loren certainly had the ability to inject a sense of genuine believability into her character portrayals, as she did so here in The Black Orchid, as the recently widowed, Rose Bianco.I think it's kinda funny to note that at the time of filming The Black Orchid, Loren was 25 years old which, in reality, made her only 12 years older than the age of her character's son in the story.In this "Eat-Drink-And-Be-Merry" tale of love, Italian-style, Loren plays an unglamorous role of a struggling, single mother (with a few skeletons in her closet) who is being romantically pursued by a boisterous and persistent older man with a few family problems of his own.The Black Orchid's "lonely hearts" story (which was set in NYC) was basically something of a soap opera, and it really wasn't all that great. But because of Loren it earned itself 6 stars from yours truly.*Note* - Sophia Loren is now 80 years old.
JoeytheBrit
Anthony Quinn and Sophia Loren play two lonely, recently widowed people whose tentatively blossoming romance is in danger of being derailed by the behaviour of their respective children in this Martin Ritt melodrama that calls for its audience to exercise a high degree of patience combined with a low expectation of anything exciting happening.Quinn is very good as the single father of a grown daughter, exuding a charm that makes the speed with which the widow Rose's initial reluctance towards him is turned into a willing embrace believable. Loren is OK, although for me she lacked confidence in some of the quieter moments in which she is called upon to emote without words. But then, she was only in her early twenties – a good few years younger than her co-star – so perhaps a disparity in the quality of their acting is forgivable.Perhaps the most interesting thing about the movie is that it isn't Rose's tearaway juvenile son (Jimmy Baird) who proves to be the biggest obstacle to their romance, but Quinn's grown daughter Mary (Ina Balin) who is herself on the verge of marriage. This aspect of the story is also the least convincing, and to be honest you just feel like telling her to get over herself and let her Dad get on with his life. Any adult who would deliberately imitate the behaviour of their mother immediately before she (the mother) committed suicide in order to get their way really deserves no sympathy from the audience and a lot less understanding than they get from the characters here. This situation also lacks any meaningful resolution between father and daughter as it is Rose who finally brings Mary around – and then seals the deal by showing her prospective daughter-in-law how to cook the perfect sausage
pkryder-1
"The Black Orchid" is about a widow (Sophia Loren) of a murdered mobster, who finds new love in the widower who lives next door, played with great verve and humor by the always-good Tony Quinn.The Quinn character's barely-grown up daughter (Ina Balin) lives with him and she strongly disapproves of him getting involved with a gangster's widow, even going so far as to lock herself in her room for days on end in protest.This was one of the lovely Balin's earliest screen roles, and I thought that she was very good and convincing. Even in scenes with gorgeous Sophia Loren, Ina's beauty and radiance were absolutely intoxicating!!The film also has many comedic moments, including the trip that Quinn and Loren's characters take to the boarding school where her son is attending.The end of the film, in which the two women settle their differences and make breakfast together, is very heartwarming and downright charming.Now, how would you like to have had Sophia Loren and Ina Balin prepare breakfast for YOU ??!!!
moonspinner55
The soon-to-be-married daughter of a handsome widower is furious when her father starts dating the widow of a gangster. Anthony Quinn and Sophia Loren are quite good as the older lovers whose romance hits a family obstacle (Quinn, in particular, is well-attuned to his role), but the stereotypical Italian characters get to be a bit much. One can understand why Quinn's daughter is reluctant to let go of her papa (she's been mother and daughter to him for years), but her overwrought behavior--not to mention her over-acting--creates an hysterical mood which nearly undermines the love story. Martin Ritt directed, staging the piece with sensitivity yet never allowing the characters and their emotions to bloom. **1/2 from ****
AD
