Max Ophuls settles matters with Howard Hughes in this unpleasant story about being careful what you wish for. In Caught money does not buy happiness.
Department store model Leonora Eames (Mercedes McCambridge) fantasizes about marrying rich. The dream comes true when she meets Smith Olrig (Robert Ryan) but it quickly turns into a nightmare when she becomes a prisoner to his petty whims. She leaves him and finds work in a doctor''s office where she meets Dr. Quinada (James Mason). In a weak moment she returns to Olrig gets pregnant and leaves again. She falls for Quinada but her family way options give Olrig a degree of control that once again has her imprisoned in his castle.
Ryan is outstanding as the venal titan, closely resembling as time has revealed the real life Howard Hughes neurotic, controlling ways. Ophuls had a poor working relationship with Hughes and it is clearly reflected here. Mason is miscast however and McCambridge is dull as dishwater and not as sympathetic perhaps as she should be. Frank Ferguson as Quinada's associate and Curt Bois as Olrig's provide both passive and aggressive philosophical insight as observant side kicks.
With Ryan's rage and menace at fever pitch and the Mason, McCambridge romance listless Caught lacks both balance and passion.
Department store model Leonora Eames (Mercedes McCambridge) fantasizes about marrying rich. The dream comes true when she meets Smith Olrig (Robert Ryan) but it quickly turns into a nightmare when she becomes a prisoner to his petty whims. She leaves him and finds work in a doctor''s office where she meets Dr. Quinada (James Mason). In a weak moment she returns to Olrig gets pregnant and leaves again. She falls for Quinada but her family way options give Olrig a degree of control that once again has her imprisoned in his castle.
Ryan is outstanding as the venal titan, closely resembling as time has revealed the real life Howard Hughes neurotic, controlling ways. Ophuls had a poor working relationship with Hughes and it is clearly reflected here. Mason is miscast however and McCambridge is dull as dishwater and not as sympathetic perhaps as she should be. Frank Ferguson as Quinada's associate and Curt Bois as Olrig's provide both passive and aggressive philosophical insight as observant side kicks.
With Ryan's rage and menace at fever pitch and the Mason, McCambridge romance listless Caught lacks both balance and passion.