this bitchy and strident ( modern and very nasty ) romantic comedy be a real disappointment . i be rather surprised that nothing work well in this mess of a movie . the cast be good and the script be by the acclaimed writer jay presson allen ( base on her novel ) and but director lumet fails to align all the dot . the story deal with the ny upper class and a place that i be sure lumet know well . however and he can not make up his mind if this be mean to be a social satire and a black comedy and or a serious drama . the tone of the film keep change from scene to scene . a i say before and i like the cast ( alan king be really good in his best movie role ) and but this be one of those movie with high aspiration and little common sense . plus all character be very obnoxious . not even oswald morris glossy cinematography can save this one .