When "A Touch of Class" was released in 1973, it was a big hit and generally well received by most critics. The consensus was that the film was "realistic" and "a film made for adults" (the last quote is paraphrasing from Judith Crist's review in New York magazine). The film isn't realistic or very adult. At best it's occasionally amusing and cute. It's a rom-com with an oh-so-hip downbeat ending that was de rigueur for films of the time. Segal and Jackson meet cute several times in London and almost instantaneously end up agreeing to take a vacation together in Spain. They bicker and argue but also fall in love. They return to London and attempt to (completely unrealistically told in dumb sitcom style) continue their affair but it's all too difficult for them both and in the end, they part. It's incredible to me that anyone seeing this film at the time would consider this a realistic film. Many of the situations are unbelievable even if you grant the film the conceit that these were "different" times (the sexual revolution post 60s in full swing). For example, Segal's wife comes across as cold but for reasons that are never made clear, he feels devoted to her. His wife is so cold, that it makes the film's ending even more ridiculous. We're going to believe that he'd give up on Jackson's hot fired sexy character for that wife? No way.
Which brings us to the sole reason to watch "A Touch of Class" and that's Glenda Jackson. She's astonishing. I would argue that she DID deserve the Oscar for Best Actress that year because only an actress of her caliber and talent could elevate such bad material. She's sexy, fiery, intelligent, warm and completely likeable. The fact that Segal's character would fall head over heels in love with her is the only believable part of the film. Jackson makes the film worth watching. She's is an amazing actress and did some of her finest work in comedy. She is even better five years later in the comedy "House Calls" with Walter Matthau. She's so good in "A Touch of Class" that I wished the material was equal to her talents. Sadly, it's not.
Which brings us to the sole reason to watch "A Touch of Class" and that's Glenda Jackson. She's astonishing. I would argue that she DID deserve the Oscar for Best Actress that year because only an actress of her caliber and talent could elevate such bad material. She's sexy, fiery, intelligent, warm and completely likeable. The fact that Segal's character would fall head over heels in love with her is the only believable part of the film. Jackson makes the film worth watching. She's is an amazing actress and did some of her finest work in comedy. She is even better five years later in the comedy "House Calls" with Walter Matthau. She's so good in "A Touch of Class" that I wished the material was equal to her talents. Sadly, it's not.