Love Is a Ball (1963)

Love Is a Ball (1963)

  • 6.1
  • 111 mins
  • Comedy

Storyline

Etienne makes a good living out of marrying off poor but titled young men to rich but untitled young ladies. Millicent is now in his sights on the Riviera, and Grand Duke Gaspar is the bait. But what if Millicent starts to fancy planted chauffeur John instead, and Gaspar takes a shine to Etienne's secretary Janine?—Jeremy Perkins {J-26}



Short Review

Completely bland and predictable romantic comedy is propped up by a solid cast. Set on the French Riviera, Charles Boyer plays a matchmaker for penniless aristocrats. Boyer is this time helping goofy Ricardo Montalban woo Hope Lange, and brings on John Wood (Professor Falken from "WarGames") to give him English refinements and also Glenn Ford to help him with race car driving because of Lange's dream to participate in the Grand Prix. In typical romcom fashion, Lange and Ford accidentally meet and at first annoy each other and then fall in love. The story is fluff to the point of annoyance and at times feels as if it's trying too hard to be 1960s cool, but the cast are likable, which also includes Telly Savalas as Lange's father, and that's enough to carry the film. It also helps that there's a peppy score from Michel Legrand ("The Thomas Crown Affair" "Summer of '42" "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg") and has breezy direction from David Swift, who memorably wrote and directed "The Parent Trap" and "Pollyanna." Overall, you'll likely completely forget about this film after the credit roll, but it's fairly entertaining while you watch.


Trailer


Streaming Service

1. Amazon Video : Rent from $1.99, Or $0.00 with a Prime membership