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Poster for The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds

The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds

Life's been a real bitch to Beatrice Hunsdorfer. And vice versa.

1972 · 1h 40m · PG Drama
Directed by Paul Newman

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Overview

Middle-aged widow Beatrice Hunsdorfer and her daughters Ruth and Matilda are struggling to survive in a society they barely understand. Beatrice dreams of opening an elegant tea room but does not have the wherewithal to achieve her lofty goal. Epileptic Ruth is a rebellious adolescent, while shy but highly intelligent and idealistic Matilda seeks solace in her pets and school projects, including one designed to show how small amounts of radium affect marigolds.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
Rotten

The talents of everyone connected with it are unmistakable, including those of Mr. Newman... It's just that the basic material calls for a kind of second-rate bravura performance from everyone, from the production designer to the actors.

Vincent Canby, New York Times
Rotten

Sentimental without really being tender, naturalistic without being real.

Jay Cocks, TIME Magazine
Fresh

Newman and Woodward's daughter Potts steals the movie, but what makes it so watchable is Newman's reluctance to sentimentalise.

Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Fresh

Producer-director Paul Newman has made his finest behind-the-camera film to date in the screen version of Paul Zindel's play.

Variety Staff, Variety
Fresh

Joanne Woodward's performance is not like anything she's ever done before.

Roger Ebert, RogerEbert.com

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