Prismark10
The film has an enjoyable title song by Frank Sinatra. It has scenic touristic views of Rome without plenty of tourists. I have never seen the Trevi Fountains so empty, it must have been filmed very early in the morning.Three women who work as secretaries share an apartment in Rome. Miss Frances (Dorothy McGuire) has been working conscientiously for noted writer John Frederick Shandwell (Clifton Webb) for some years. She is besotted by him, everyone knows this apart from Shandwell who learning that Miss Frances is thinking of leaving the country offers to marry her as a marriage of convencience only to learn she has always loved him. He then finds out that he has less than a year to live which causes ructions with his new found relationship.Anita (Jean Peters) and Maria (Maggie McNamara) work as secretaries at for a US Agency. Anita who is nearing going back to the USA falls for a local man Giorgio Binachi (Rossano Brassi) who works as a translator but wishes to train as a lawyer but he gets fired from his job for fraternising with Anita. Maria decides is attracted to the womanising Prince Dino di Cessi (Louis Jourdan.) She finds out all the stuff he likes, he is amazed by how much they have in common until she tells him the truth.The film is a bland fairy tale. Maria's story is the most fun and involving. There is no romantic chemistry between Miss Frances and John Frederick Shandwell. Clifton Webb was a great character actor, he was not a romantic lead.
Armand
a charming film. like a fairy tale. in fact, it is a kind of fairy tale who reminds Disney flavor at different level. song, extraordinary locations, beautiful girls and boys, complicated stories and humor in precise doses.that seems be all. at first sigh. but it is impressive not for formula or for acting, for Rome or for coins in fountain. the special ingredient is the hope. the three young women are illustration for many girls who dreams the Charming Prince. the movie gives a realistic solution. and it is not only for isolated cases from society but for society itself. the delicacy and bitter spirit, the Romanticism and courageous decisions, the beginning and the end are not more different by many films of period. but the message is little more profound. like in a parable.
wes-connors
Three well-mannered American secretaries seek husbands in Rome. Arriving last is Maggie McNamara (as Maria), who is set to replace Jean Peters (as Anita), who rooms with Dorothy McGuire (as Frances). Their respective romantic interests are prince Louis Jourdan (as Dino), translator Rossano Brazzi (as Georgio) and writer Clifton Webb (as Shadwell). The most striking part of this bland picture is the wide-screen color photography by Milton Krasner. It opens with Frank Sinatra singing the title song. Written by Jule Styne and lyricist Sammy Cahn, "Three Coins in the Fountain" became a million-selling #1 hit for The Four Aces (featuring Al Alberts); it was rare for another version to outperform an original Sinatra title song. According to the lyrics, only one romantic wish will be granted. That may not be entirely accurate. Also, although only two of the women throw coins in the Trevi Fountain, we can be fairly certain a third coin joined them at some point.***** Three Coins in the Fountain (5/20/54) Jean Negulesco ~ Maggie McNamara, Jean Peters, Dorothy McGuire, Louis Jourdan
jeremy3
I miss those days, even though I wasn't even born yet. This film is an obvious attempt to lure tourists from America to visit post-War Europe. However, the filming and scenery is enough to calm anyone's nerves. Italy is no more beautifully displayed. The life of Italy is no more romantically displayed.The plot of the movie revolves around three beautiful American women hired to work in offices in Italy. Two of the women meet Italians, and one meets an American ex-patriot writer. Each has their romance and their adventures. Rossano Brazzi plays a struggling law student. Louis Jourdan plays a wealthy art collector/businessman. No one could have played the European in more gentile a manner than he did.The best part was how Jourdan's lover tried to showoff by learning everything about him and agreeing with him. He was so idealistic and naive that he believed that they were completely compatible. His mother, however, is very smart, and figures out her game. Of course, he is mad when he finds out that she was trying to play on what he liked. Of course, in the end they all meet and fall in love by the fountain where they had wished at the beginning with their coins.While it was not as realistic as Roman Holiday, this corny movie stands the test of time. It was a time when European tourism was opening the doors to American tourists. It was a vibrant time in Europe, and fully captured in this film.P.S. - When I hear "Three Coins In The Fountain", I always think of Steve Martin in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, singing that song to pass the time on the bus. The fellow passengers glare at him about this corny, unknown song. John Candy starts singing the more familiar "Flintstones".
AD
