Woman Of Straw (1964)

The nephew (Sean Connery) of an ill tempered but wealthy curmudgeon (Ralph Richardson) romances his Uncle's nurse (Gina Lollobrigida) and coerces her into marrying him for his money. Since the gentleman doesn't have very long to live, once he dies they will share in the money. But things never quite work out the way they're supposed to, do they? Directed by Basil Dearden (SAPPHIRE) from the novel by Catherine Arley, this should have been a better film. Lollobrigida's character seems terribly naive and trustworthy to the point of stupidity. It's interesting to see the young Sean Connery (post FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE and pre-GOLDFINGER) in an unsympathetic part, he's positively oily. But it's Ralph Richardson's grumpy old man that takes the acting honors. It's wonderful to see his transition from cranky to lovestruck. Always watchable but not what it could have been. With Alexander Knox and Johnny Sekka.