mark.waltz OK, I've seen some sappy movies in my time, but none as saccharine as this. It's the story of preparing for the future of one's loved ones, facing the possibility of death with dignity and leaving a legacy of comfort for the survivors behind. In many aspects, it's not at all realistic, but to criticize it would be like beating your Valentine over the head with a Hallmark card. Therefore, it feels necessary to go into this with an extremely open mind, and the only way is to accept the fact that this is what life is like in some alternate universe, where like the song "Loveland" in the musical "Follies" explains that lovebirds cannot be separated, lest the survivor swoon and die.Upon meeting handsome scientist Robert Stack, doctor's assistant Lauren Bacall offers to soothing his sore back by giving him a rubdown. Within minutes, they are leaving to have a drink, and minutes later are coming out of a wedding chapel. She moves into his home downstairs from an observatory, and it seems like the nest is full, even five years after their marriage. But when fate intervenes, she decides to make sure that if the worst happens, he won't be alone, and brings the young and troubled Evelyn Rudie into their home. However, not everything goes as planned, and for swooning and dying lovebird Stack, it takes a major gift of love to bring him back to life.Coming out as Bacall recovered from the shock of husband Bogie's death, it seems a bit sentimental and even a little sappy at times. The two lovebirds are far too perfect together, yet there's a sense of darkness behind all of the pathos. Rudie is a natural, fine young actress, even when precocious and pretending that she's a horse. Bacall plays the ultimate heroine, not manipulative in any way, and is too good to be true. Stack gives a dark performance as he faces grief and confusion, going through the stages realistically and with intensity. Lorne Greene, Anne Seymour, Edward Platt and young Scatman Crothers are quite good in support. So take this for what it is, a message film with a huge heart, and leave the diabetic medicine for those who need it.

FredGailey I would give this no stars if I had the option. An insult to the original 1946 'Sentimental Journey' which starred John Payne & Maureen O'Hara (a highly under rated screen couple from the golden age of cinema, in my opinion, who should have been cast alongside each other in more than the 4 films they did, as they had definite chemistry. )All I can say is pass on this and watch the original - its better acted and scripted than this drivel. When you see the on screen electricity between Payne & O'Hara, you'll see why, they give Scarlett & Rhett a run for their money and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie for that matter. Can't understand why they had to remake Sentimental Journey anyway as it was only 12 years old at the time this dud was made!

TwinIrish I just saw this movie for the first time on TCM and I'm an older adult. Why anyone would think this movie would appeal only to teenagers or younger is a little pessimistic to say the least. I love the movie - Lauren Bacall, Robert Stack and adorable little Evelyn Rudie are wonderfully talented. Of course, no one will ever compare with Shirley Temple - that's a given. Even tho there have been many talented young actresses, they threw away the pattern with Shirley. The storyline is - as it's supposed to be - rather melancholy - and for the period of time it was made it's rather marvelous I feel. The outcome of the story - which most of us could have guessed of course - is quite a lesson that teaches just how grief can make someone go off the deep end, dealing with just their own pain, and not considering the feelings and welfare of someone else, especially a child. Who knows, maybe Julie's spirit did come and encourage more searching for Hitty - it's possible.

mkr23 I originally saw this on TV as a child and thought it was so incredibly sad. Recently, I had the opportunity to see it again and thought it was a bit campy, but it was the 1950s. Robert Stack's character is a bit of a selfish jerk, but, since it is the 50's, everyone knows he'll come around in the end. Lauren Bacall looked absolutely beautiful in this film. As for Evelyn Rudie, I thought she was the perfect old soul in a child's body. It's not such a bad film; it's really rather tender and sweet. Perfect, it isn't, but if you watch it for the simple enjoyment of a movie, it's pretty good. It's a 1/2 a hankie film, and great on a cold winter night, with some cocoa and popcorn.