A milquetoast bachelor from a prominent family lives in his family mansion with his sisters: matronly older sister, Hester, and sexy but sickly younger sister, Lettie. They have spent their lives in their small, New Hampshire town. After inheriting the house from their parents, the sisters dote over their brother, a fabric designer at the local mill. Lettie has been suffering from what appears to be a severe case of Munchausen syndrome, causing the family members' roles to blur. The sisters coddle Harry like a little boy, while also regarding him as man of the house, more like a father figure or husband.
When a beautiful young co-worker turns Harry's head, it sends the Quincey house into turmoil. Lettie has learned to tolerate sharing her brother with their older sister, but she is no romantic rival. Harry's new girlfriend is.
The last half-hour is a bit of a letdown. After Lettie gets what she wants, Harry's response is hard to fathom. Rather than enjoying the delights of home Lettie offers, Harry gets all passive-aggressive. Then, to get this naughty tale past the censors, the filmmakers had to pull a trick on the viewers which, frankly, falls flat.
It is still quite an enjoyable film, particularly the smoldering intensity between Lettie and Harry. I just wish they had the guts to give this the ending it deserves.
When a beautiful young co-worker turns Harry's head, it sends the Quincey house into turmoil. Lettie has learned to tolerate sharing her brother with their older sister, but she is no romantic rival. Harry's new girlfriend is.
The last half-hour is a bit of a letdown. After Lettie gets what she wants, Harry's response is hard to fathom. Rather than enjoying the delights of home Lettie offers, Harry gets all passive-aggressive. Then, to get this naughty tale past the censors, the filmmakers had to pull a trick on the viewers which, frankly, falls flat.
It is still quite an enjoyable film, particularly the smoldering intensity between Lettie and Harry. I just wish they had the guts to give this the ending it deserves.