The Opposite Sex

The Opposite Sex is a delightful 1956 romantic comedy movie that charmingly captures societal norms, portrayals, and expectations in post-war American life. Setting its scene in the vibrant upper-class world of New York high society, it ingeniously ties the seeming glamour with the poignant reality at a time characterized by a significant shift in women's roles across America. Equally intriguing is the film’s line-up of a hugely talented cast, headlined by leading stars June Allyson, Joan Collins, and Dolores Gray. This movie becomes an exciting journey into the world of love, lies, and longing, all wrapped up in Technicolor vibrancy.

June Allyson unassumingly plays the role of Kay Hilliard, a successful Broadway musical actress. Kay is married to Broadway producer Steve Hilliard, and they are perceived as a perfect match on stage and off. With their charming daughter, Kay and Steve appear to be the quintessential American family. The story starts unfolding when she learns about her husband's alleged infidelity with a callous, opportunistic actress, played by the iconic Joan Collins.

This is where Joan Collins excels as a femme fatale in this romantic comedy-drama. Her character, Crystal Allen, is a shrewd and manipulative actress, turned temptress who utilizes every tool in her arsenal to get what she wants with negligible concern for who she might harm along the way. Collins skillfully portrays her character's calculating demeanor, ably exuding the unique blend of intrigue and disgust that drives the story forward.

Dolores Gray brings depth to the story as Amanda Penrose. She is a fashion maven with a reputation for marrying rich men, often widowers of her deceased close friends. Witty, wealthy, and wise, Amanda appears to be a consistently dependable friend to Kay even though their views on life, love, and relationships often diverge wildly.

The movie effortlessly infuses humor, drama, and a bit of light-hearted musical fair, setting the mood from the outset with Dolores Gray's vibrant musical number, "It Ain't Necessarily So." The plot unfolds in a manner that incorporates both delightfully comedic moments and heart-rending drama, as it delves into the consequences of betrayal, jealousy, and heartbreak among the privileged elite.

Apart from its powerful leading ladies, The Opposite Sex also boasts an impressively assembled ensemble cast, including Leslie Nielsen, Agnes Moorehead, Ann Miller, Charlotte Greenwood, and Joan Blondell. Each one brings a unique flavor to the rom-com mania, from Nielsen's portrayal of Steve as a conflicted man caught between love and temptation, to Moorehead's depiction of Countess DeLave as a sarcastic gossip queen with a sense of style.

While the storyline largely centers around marital fidelity or lack thereof, the movie explores other themes and societal norms, such as gold-digging, friendship, and love in high society, and how they relate to the experiences of privileged women navigating life in the throes of a culture yet to adapt to changed post-war gender norms.

Perhaps what makes The Opposite Sex a film of note is its ability to combine a riveting social commentary with an amusingly thought-provoking narrative that is as captivating as it is reflective of the times. The characters are superbly developed, with each one revealing their complexity and characterization in unique bursts throughout the film.

In terms of aesthetics, The Opposite Sex takes viewers back in time, offering them a snapshot of America's culture during the mid-1950s. The film's dazzling visuals reflect the era's extravagance and material culture, with explicitly opulent costumes, gorgeous set designs, and sparkling cinematography. It served as a cinematic feast for the audience at the time of its release and continues to do so for contemporary audiences.

The Opposite Sex is more than just a classic romantic comedy film. It acts as a time capsule, transporting viewers to a forgotten world of elegance, extravagance, twist and turns, while revealing how the age-old struggle between love and deceit, honesty and betrayal, and friendship and rivalry unfolds among the American bourgeoisie.

In the end, The Opposite Sex is not merely a glamorous portrayal of infidelity among New York's elite society. It is a sharp, comical, musical, and melodramatic journey that poignantly explores the intimate complexities of human relationships and the tumultuous effects of betrayal within the glamorous confines of high society. Its sparky dialogue, extravagant settings, smart storylines, and charismatic performances make it an entertaining watch worth revisiting, even in modern times.