Rachel, Rachel

When you reach a certain age in your life, you realize that something is missing. Usually it's love, other times happiness. But sometimes, it's both.

That's the case with Rachel Cameron (Joanne Woodward). She's 35, single and still lives with her mother. By now, she longs for a meaningful relationship to fill the empty void in her life. Will she find one?

Rachel isn't the type of person most people would notice. She's just an average person just going on with her life. It seems like a simple role to play, however Woodward excels in that type of role. Thanks to her and director (and Woodward's husband) Paul Newman, they show that Rachel isn't a complicated woman. Just a restricted one.

Woodward is just fantastic in Rachel, Rachel. Like her Oscar-winning turn in The Three Faces of Eve, we see her transformation from sheltered to self-assured. And can you believe a movie this good is only Newman's first run as director? It feels like he's been behind the camera for years rather than in front.

My Rating: ****1/2