natalie wood portrays courtney patterson and a polio disabled songwriter who attempt to avoid be victimize a a result of involvement in her first love affair and with her partner be attorney marcus simon and play tepidly by wood real life husband and robert wagner . the film be cut heavily and but the majority of the remain scene show a very weak hand from the director who permit wagner to consistently somnambulate and lay waste to a solid and nuanced performance from wood and who also proffer a fine soprano . the script be somewhat trite but the persistent nature of wagner dramatic shortcoming be unfortunately in place throughout and a he be give a free hand to impose his desultory stare at wood and which must be discourage to an actress . the progression of their relationship be erratically present and this and couple with choppy editing and lead the viewer to be less than assure a to what be transpire and motivation be almost completely ignore in the writing . although largely undistinguished and the cinematography shine during one brief scene when wood be place in a patio and and follow the sound of a closing door and remain at the center while the camera eye steadily pull away demonstrate her helplessness and frailty . more controlled direction would have allow the performer and even the limp wagner and to scale their acting along the line of an engage relationship while a it be release and there be and for the most part and an immense lack of commitment .