The Thrill of it All (1963) Review- By Michael J. Carlisle

Title: The Thrill of it All
Year: 1963
Director: Norman Jewison
Country: US
Language: English

The goal(s) of first-wave feminism was to open up opportunities for women, with a focus on suffrage. Discussions about the vote and women's participation in politics led to an examination of gender roles. The goal(s) of second-wave feminism focused on the subjugation of women with broader critiques of patriarchy, capitalism, normative heterosexuality, and the woman's role as wife and mother. While The Thrill of it All wasn't overtly feminist, it did hit on the themes of second wave feminism. 

In this film, a housewife's (Doris Day) sudden rise to fame as a soap spokesperson leads to chaos in her home life. 

Director Norman Jewison (In the Heat of the Night) and screenwriter Carl Reiner spend much of the run-time discussing the issues inherent in any marriage and the struggles of juggling work and home. The inequality is present almost immediately as the husband (James Garner) is an obstetrician, spending long hours at the hospital, while the wife runs the household. Why must the woman stay home? Why are domestic duties treated with less respect than professional duties? 

The movie becomes a marriage comedy illustrating the mutual struggles of both husband and wife. Garner gets the more physical, slapsticky elements of the plot. His problems stem from not being the sole breadwinner, the one given praise, in the family. I enjoy how the patriarchal views of society (in form of Garner) are blatantly being made fun of, but then again Jewison doesn't go full feminism and we do see some of early 60's gender roles shining through cracks in the script (Gerald gets a bit too much credit for the stability of the household)

Doris Day plays her part very well, shockingly being a Classic Hollywood female full of carnal desires that isn't an outright film noir villain. Despite the character's flaws, James Garner is rather charismatic in his role. It's difficult not to become enamored with him. Overall The Thrill of It All may have less "thrills" than advertised, but it still is an important picture.