“This is no time to argue. Get married first, then fight.” —Connie
Today’s quick review: That Touch of Mink. Cathy Timberlake’s (Doris Day) rotten luck turns around when Philip Shayne (Cary Grant), a suave millionaire, almost hits her with his car. What begins as a brusque apology turns into a romantic evening in Bermuda as Philip takes a liking to her. But with Cathy nervous about their brief fling and Philip unwilling to commit to anything more, their relationship threatens to fizzle out before it can even begin.
That Touch of Mink is a classic romantic comedy starring Cary Grant and Doris Day. The movie follows the tumultuous relationship between Cathy, a woman with a traditional upbringing and a shy personality, and Philip, a wealthy man who’s a little too effective in sweeping her off her feet. The setup leads to some fun humor as the two change their minds about their relationship, but it’s missing the romantic heft of some of its competition.
That Touch of Mink has an unusual type of romance. Cathy and Philip fall into their relationship backwards, driven by obstinacy and poor decisions as much as genuine attraction. The movie gets most of its comedy from the back-and-forth between the two as they try to decide whether what they have is a brief fling, a marriage in the making, or nothing at all. To its credit, the movie finds ways to keep them coming back to each other in spite of it all.
However, That Touch of Mink doesn’t have as much to offer as some other classics. Cary Grant and Doris Day are well-cast but don’t get the chance to show off their chemistry in an organic way. The story jerks the characters around enough that there’s no chance for a romance to emerge naturally. And while the gags are consistently amusing, they aren’t as sharply written as some of the best films of the era.
That Touch of Mink is a decent pick for fans of the classics who don’t mind something a little offbeat. The odd relationship between Cathy and Philip, a charming sense of humor, and two skilled supporting actors in Audrey Meadows and Gig Young are enough to make That Touch of Mink a worthwhile watch for those interested. Skeptical viewers would do better with one of the other romances of the era.
For a romantic comedy about a similarly mismatched couple, try Sabrina. For a romantic musical with some of the same merits, try Funny Face. For one starring Doris Day, try The Pajama Game. For a more enduring romance, comedy, and thriller starring Cary Grant, try Charade.
6.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a decent setup and a good pair of leads, hurt somewhat by its tricky character dynamics.