MUBI

First, I must say that this film contains phenomenal acting on the part of both Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine. This film portray’s quite effectively both the social stigma associated with sexual orientation as well as the ridiculously exaggerated reactions of the parents of the girl-school boarders based on a rumour with a rather weak foundation. The film also effectively depicts the strong impact of the consequent social contempt faced by the two teachers. The editing and direction, particularly in the scene where Audrey Hepburn runs back towards the school, is of great artistry. The scene where Audrey Hepburn tries to break open Shirley MacLaine’s door is particularly haunting and poignant for me. There is, however, one aspect that I feel could have been improved and that is the naivety of the characters who believe the little girl with minimal proof, and the director makes it a little too obvious that Evelyn, the bully girl, is pressuring Rosalie, the cleptoman, to lie about the two teachers. One wonders how the others could not have sensed the tension between the two girls. I guess this is a classic instance of when one must suspend his beliefs. On the upside, I find the ending well thought-up and defying stereotypical depictions of women.