Something for Everyone (1970)

Something for Everyone is definitely not a film for everyone, but those who “get it” will relish it. Hugh Wheeler’s screenplay is darkly amusing, a wry excursion into the minds and activities (but pointedly not the souls) of some of the most blatantly unsympathetic characters ever put upon the screen. Many will find the characters repulsive – and justifiably so – but Wheeler and director Harold Prince understand their unpleasantness and use it to good advantage. Although Prince does not seem at ease working with film – his camera is generally static and unimaginative, and the pacing of the film is too deliberate, killing many of the potentially amusing moments and muting the effectiveness of others – he does a marvelous job with the actors. Angela Lansbury, in the kind of showy role actresses kill for, steals practically every scene she is in, making the grotesque Countess hard to resist. Michael York, in a more challenging role, turns in one of his best performances, creating a character that is convincingly charming yet bloodless, and Jane Carr is a delight as the frumpy daughter. Although Something runs out of its special something before it reaches its gruesome end, it’s a unique film that bears viewing. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide