As the film wander's through it's simple plot devices, pulling together the protoganists and then throwing large obstacles in the form of gossip and children in their way, it is quite a cute little journey. The story trudges along without bringing much attention to itself, which allows the viewer to observe Wyman. And what a site she is, the controted, drastic emotions opressively echoing throughout the script could be suffocating, but they are so perfectly etched on her gorgeous face, it's breathtaking. As she moves through discontent (the beginning), curiousity (meeting Hudson), hope(their early interactions), boredom (when she's not yet with him), joy (they finally become romantic), ebullience (the party), anxiety (gossip begins), sorrow (breaking up), despair (kids return) and finally that heartwarming conclusion. It is a hell of a journey that Wyman brings us on, and Sirk is their the whole time with beautiful shots and gorgeous scenery. It's magnificient watching him play with surrealist images in this otherwise deathly realistic venture. The melodrama is contained to the point of reality, and yet free from the restrictions of so many modern films desperately fearful of being "too" dramatic.

p.s. that final shot is one of the most alluring I have ever seen.