Tony Mastroianni Review Collection
"Stockbroker" Is a Poor Investment
Cleveland Press September 24, 1971
Maybe it's true that no one starts out to make a bad movie, but surely no one must have thought this one to be very good to begin with.
In fact, "Marriage of a Young Stockbroker" has the earmarks of a movie that no one thought enough about ever.
Everyone concerned with this movie has good references going in; coming out is another matter. The picture is based on a novel by Charles Webb who also wrote "The Graduate." It is produced by Lawrence Turman who also produced "The Graduate" but this time around Turman also directs. And it stars Richard Benjamin of "Goodbye Columbus" fame.
Lightning didn't strike twice for any of them; it just fizzled.
The young stockbroker (Benjamin) is hung up on voyeurism. He doesn't just ogle. He's an out-and-out peeping Tom, going to great lengths to pursue his hobby.
Strangest part of it is that he is married to Joanna Shimkus who ought to keep his mind and eyes more than somewhat occupied. He also professes great love for her. She meanwhile is distraught about the whole thing and decides to walk out on him.
Determined to extract humor from the role, Benjamin overplays terribly. The result is almost a parody of his husband role in "Diary of a Mad Housewife" which was something of a parody to begin with.
Miss Shimkus, more restrained, comes out better. Elizabeth Ashley as her nasty-sweet sister and Adam West as the sister's downtrodden husband are both good.
Everything that happens in the movie is so strained that acting efforts, no matter how good, can't do much for the picture.
