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Pillow Talk (1959)


A rather odd genre from this era called "the sex comedy." 

Jan (Doris Day) is a single, professional woman. We don't know her exact age, but Day was 37, and it's likely Jan is supposed to be in her mid-30s. So it's a rather sexist question, but audience members would likely be asking it too themselves at the time: Why is she still single?

The obvious answer is that she hasn't found the right man to fall in love with. Jonathan (Tony Randall) loves her, but she doesn't love him. She even lets him give her an "exploratory kiss," but the sparks don't run down her back. That's what she wants. She wants sparks. 

Brad (Rock Hudson) is the man she shares a party phoneline with. She hates him, considering him a womanizing playboy. When Brad first sees her in the flesh, though, he knows that she's pretty special. He also knows that based on their past history, he doesn't have a chance with her. So her creates a whole new persona and pretends to be someone he's not. 

At the same time, he finds himself actually falling in love with her. Unfortunately, she's falling in love with his persona. He never seems to think of a way -- or maybe even the need -- to admit that he's been pretending to be someone else, but of course the truth eventually comes out. 

This is a romantic comedy, so you expect a little bit of movie genre formula. She breaks it off with him immediately. but Jonathan, who also just happens to somehow be Brad's best friend. knows that Brad and Jan need to be together. He works behind the scenes to make that happen. At first, it doesn't look like Jan will play ball with the plan, but she recognizes that Brad's love for her is sincere, and yes, she has felt the spark. She forgives him, and they leave happily ever after... the ending adds a few more blue and pink pillows, suggesting that yes, they did end up married, they did bonk, and they did have kids. 

It's a "fun" movie to watch, although nothing too serious. If you pay attention, it's funny that Brad's persona's sexuality is briefly called into question -- how could he not make a move on Jan? Is he a "mother's boy"? Or worse? There's even an OBGYN that's convinced that Brad is somehow going to be the first man to have a baby... that's bit is just bizarre...

Rating: 3/5 stars


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