Two for the Seesaw

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Two for the Seesaw

Released Nov 21, 1962

2h 0m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

33%

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6 Reviews

58%

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100+ Ratings

After leaving his wife, lawyer Jerry Ryan (Robert Mitchum) moves from Omaha, Neb., to New York City to start a new life. While studying for the New York Bar Examination and working to finalize his divorce, Ryan meets dancer Gittel Mosca (Shirley MacLaine), and the two begin a cautious courtship. However, Ryan feels that he must come to terms with his failed marriage and overcome his lingering attachment to his ex-wife before he can redefine himself and embrace his budding romance.

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Brenda Davies

Sight & Sound

Robert Wise^s rather heavy direction... is at its most laboured in a badly caricatured beatnik party sequence opening the film.

Mar 17, 2020

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Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

The screen edition has sensibly expanded the locale and augmented the roster of characters, but neither Robert Mitchum nor Shirley MacLainc can be wholly accepted in the central roles.

Oct 7, 2019

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Bill Chambers

Film Freak Central

Two for the Seesaw is, quite frankly, one for the cinematic dustbin.

Rated: 1.5/4

Dec 26, 2009

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Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

OK drama featuring Mitchum and MacLaine, who work somewhat oddly well together.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 14, 2009

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Stage-bound and too talky.

Rated: C

Jan 16, 2007

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jun 27, 2005

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Greg H

I cannot believe this movie got such low ratings on here? I loved the movie it was a play before it was a movie, I would love to have seen the play, and it won a Tony. Did not like the ending but think this was always meant to be a play not a movie. Would like to have seen a more 5 to 7 ending. Great movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/10/25

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Audience Member

mitchum & maclaine, as always, on form. The script, although good, could have been better. Don't watch for laughs!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

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Audience Member

Robert Mitchum is miscast as a Nebraska lawyer having a midlife crisis. He moves to Greenwich Village, where he meets dancer Shirley MacLaine, vulnerable and a harpy at the same time. Talky, dated, and so boring I quit paying attention until I looked up to see the MGM lion roaring at the end. Notable only as the picture where the leads met and had a lifelong affair.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Audience Member

I really wanted to like this film, being directed by the great Robert Wise, with a gorgeous jazzy score by Andre Previn, and two favorites as the romantic leads, Robert Mitchum and Shirley McClaine. Unfortunately, the story is quite predictable and rather trite. McClain and Mitchum are terrific and really do manage to carry the film. Wise directs the film with style and the black and white photography of New York City is terrific. The script is where the film lets down, with it feeling like an incredibly dated story.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

"two for the seesaw" has wonderful performances from both robert mitchum and shirley maclaine, who are great together. both of them play it genuinely and you forget they're famous actors and believe they are the characters they're portraying.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Audience Member

The first thing I have to say is that this film looks amazing, the crisp B & W photography is gorgeous from the first frame until the credits roll, and both Mitchum and MacLaine are fun to watch in their roles. His uptight laconic routine plays nicely against her whimsical free spirit, even as they spend the film dancing around truly depressing situation and refusing to allow themselves to commit to one another. Good film, worth tracking down.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Robert Wise

Director

Robert Mitchum

Jerry Ryan

Shirley MacLaine

Gittel "Mosca" Moscawitz

Edmond Ryan

Frank Taubman

Elizabeth Fraser

Sophie

Eddie Firestone

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Synopsis

After leaving his wife, lawyer Jerry Ryan (Robert Mitchum) moves from Omaha, Neb., to New York City to start a new life. While studying for the New York Bar Examination and working to finalize his divorce, Ryan meets dancer Gittel Mosca (Shirley MacLaine), and the two begin a cautious courtship. However, Ryan feels that he must come to terms with his failed marriage and overcome his lingering attachment to his ex-wife before he can redefine himself and embrace his budding romance.

Director: Robert Wise
Producer: Walter Mirisch
Screenwriter: Isobel Lennart
Production Co: Seesaw Productions, Talbot Productions, Argyle Productions
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 21, 1962, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 2h 0m

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