Burt Lancaster once described this film as ""Death of a Salesman"" but set by the pool, and that’s not entirely inaccurate. It also bears some resemblance to ""American Beauty,"" though it takes place in the late 1960s. The movie arrived nine years after the original run of **'Twilight Zone'**, and it would have been a fitting addition to that series. As a feature film, however, it feels drawn out, tends toward melodrama, and includes some scenes shot in an unusual way. Was the intent to evoke a psychedelic feel? There’s one sequence, where Lancaster walks across a busy road, that is particularly striking with its tilted camera angles, jarring zooms, and blurry effects. It could be argued, though, that these techniques contribute to the surreal (or unsettling) atmosphere essential to the narrative. I'm starting to wonder if Burt Lancaster was responsible for the acting style often associated with William Shatner. He’s prone to theatricality, spends a lot of time gazing dramatically into the distance, and his lack of boundaries when interacting with female characters quickly becomes uncomfortable. *Burt Lancaster, that’s not okay!* Perhaps many male performers acted this way in the 1960s; I can't say for sure, but it feels strange viewed from today's standpoint. Despite its oddities and dated qualities, this film provides a pleasant diversion on a lazy summer afternoon – primarily to witness Joan Rivers’ debut as a dramatic actress, and a short appearance by a young Diana Muldaur (who later played Doctor Pulaski in **'Star Trek: The Next Generation'**).

Source on TMDB