Totally involving study of youth and dreams. Master director and writer, the genius Kazan nine years after On The Waterfront, tells the story with personal conviction. The result is film-making that cannot be bettered. The heart-breaking scene of Stavros surrounded by the upper-class passengers dancing by himself on the deck of the ship to help him escape his pain is unforgettable.
I loved the picaresque nature of the story and seeing the palpable changes in Stavros. The movie could have been sentimental but Kazan doesn't allow it to be. The characters from the different ethnicities and classes are created with real understanding. There are no "minor" roles. Without becoming overbearing, every detail is perfect.
Even though it deals with dark themes the film is a total delight.
Review of America America
