This is a lovely tale of two people whose personal stories become revealed and their lives intertwined when they meet by chance on a bus. I agree with others who have compared it to Murphy's Romance, another great comedy romance, starring Sally Field and James Garmer.
Here we have an encounter on a bus between Mike Finnegan, who is a crotchety newspaperman and caretaker for his senile wife, and Liz DeHann, a widowed art teacher en route to a tryst with married lover, Paul, a funeral parlor director. Finnegan prides himself on being able to ferret out other people's character and actions, so guesses Liz's unfortunate situation, naturally much to her displeasure. Nevertheless, as time passes, they exchange life stories and become confidantes and friends, with of course always a possibility of something further developing between them...
The cast are all superb. Mary Tyler Moore, my favorite from her old sitcom days, is convincing as the woman caught in an affair, unhappy but trying to convince herself it's neither immoral nor hopeless, as she clings to the belief that her lover, Paul, will eventually leave his wife for her. Paul is portrayed by Sam Waterston, normally another of my favorites, though his role here, as you might imagine, is pretty sleazy and despicable, in terms of his behavior toward both his wife and Liz. It is really Robert Preston who sparkles here as Finnegan. I was unfamiliar previously with this actor, but he very much reminds me here of the wonderful James Garner. Finnegan makes this story.
This TV movie has a couple of messages, entertainingly but not subtly given. One of course is the sordid nature of the classic affair. Liz and Paul rendezvous in a seedy hotel, arriving separately so as not to arouse suspicion. Also, Paul of course has absolutely no intention of leaving his wife. The other message is the loyalty and devotion of Finnegan to his wife of many years, Margaret, who apparently suffers from dementia, and is truly lost to him in terms of any genuine companionship. Yet, although discouraged, he remains by her side and true to his vows, caring for her and putting up with a household in disarray cased by her condition. So we see two very different husbands, two sharply contrasting views of marriage, in the faithless Paul and the loyal Finnegan.
WARNING: SPOILER...It has both witty dialogue and a touching tale of friendship and love. However, I agree with another reviewer who commented that it's a pity the pair are shown in bed together at the end. Somehow, it seems rather inappropriate for this story.
Here we have an encounter on a bus between Mike Finnegan, who is a crotchety newspaperman and caretaker for his senile wife, and Liz DeHann, a widowed art teacher en route to a tryst with married lover, Paul, a funeral parlor director. Finnegan prides himself on being able to ferret out other people's character and actions, so guesses Liz's unfortunate situation, naturally much to her displeasure. Nevertheless, as time passes, they exchange life stories and become confidantes and friends, with of course always a possibility of something further developing between them...
The cast are all superb. Mary Tyler Moore, my favorite from her old sitcom days, is convincing as the woman caught in an affair, unhappy but trying to convince herself it's neither immoral nor hopeless, as she clings to the belief that her lover, Paul, will eventually leave his wife for her. Paul is portrayed by Sam Waterston, normally another of my favorites, though his role here, as you might imagine, is pretty sleazy and despicable, in terms of his behavior toward both his wife and Liz. It is really Robert Preston who sparkles here as Finnegan. I was unfamiliar previously with this actor, but he very much reminds me here of the wonderful James Garner. Finnegan makes this story.
This TV movie has a couple of messages, entertainingly but not subtly given. One of course is the sordid nature of the classic affair. Liz and Paul rendezvous in a seedy hotel, arriving separately so as not to arouse suspicion. Also, Paul of course has absolutely no intention of leaving his wife. The other message is the loyalty and devotion of Finnegan to his wife of many years, Margaret, who apparently suffers from dementia, and is truly lost to him in terms of any genuine companionship. Yet, although discouraged, he remains by her side and true to his vows, caring for her and putting up with a household in disarray cased by her condition. So we see two very different husbands, two sharply contrasting views of marriage, in the faithless Paul and the loyal Finnegan.
WARNING: SPOILER...It has both witty dialogue and a touching tale of friendship and love. However, I agree with another reviewer who commented that it's a pity the pair are shown in bed together at the end. Somehow, it seems rather inappropriate for this story.