This Angry Age

Rene Clement will be remembered for Plein Soleil, in which Alain Delon played Ripley perfectly, and Jeux interdits, which brought a whole new dimension, that of children's impressions of war, to the war film. If This Angry Age (AKA Barrage contre le Pacifique, The Sea Wall) is very forgettable that doesn't detract from Clement's well earned reputation. Jo van Fleet creates another in a line of formidable mother figures--she indulges in some scene-chewing in some scenes. Anthony Perkins plays a petulant teenager; it's so annoying to watch him pout and squirm. Silvana Mangano brings some class and talent to the enterprise; you can at least imagine that her heart has been broken over the flawed diamond. Richard Conte is solid and believable. Thanks to somebody on Youtube, I was able to watch this.