Love with the Proper Stranger Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Macy’s salesgirl gets knocked up by a trumpet player who can’t remember her, so they decide to awkwardly navigate 1960s dating, family pressure, and reproductive choices, eventually leading to a slightly forced happy ending.

🍿 Love with the Proper Stranger: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Unexpected Pregnancy

Angie Rossini, a young Macy’s salesgirl from a close-knit Italian-American family, discovers she is pregnant after a one-night stand with Rocky Papasano, a musician she barely knows. Faced with societal expectations and a controlling family, Angie feels trapped and seeks a way out of her predicament.

Seeking a Solution

Angie tracks down Rocky and informs him of her pregnancy, requesting his help in finding a doctor for an abortion. Rocky, initially reluctant and barely remembering Angie, agrees to help her. They navigate the difficulties of obtaining an illegal abortion in 1960s New York City, working together to raise the necessary funds.

Changing Feelings

As Angie and Rocky spend time together, they begin to understand each other better. Rocky witnesses the constraints Angie faces within her family, and Angie sees a different side of Rocky beyond his carefree exterior. Their initial arrangement slowly evolves into a connection neither of them anticipated.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Angie Rossini (Natalie Wood): A young Macy’s salesgirl who finds herself pregnant after a one-night stand and struggles with the decision of what to do.
• Rocky Papasano (Steve McQueen): A musician who is confronted with the consequences of his one-night stand and grapples with responsibility and his feelings for Angie.
• Dominick Rossini (Herschel Bernardi): Angie’s overprotective older brother who tries to control her life and relationships.
• Barbie (Edie Adams): Rocky’s current girlfriend, who provides him with a place to stay and a casual relationship.
• Anthony ‘Columbo’ Columbo (Tom Bosley): A kind but awkward suitor who is favored by Angie’s family as a potential husband.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Barbie: “You know me in the cold weather – how I love to be in love. We are in love, aren’t we? Really in love.” – Barbie is trying to make a connection with Rocky and understand their relationship.
• Rocky Papasano: “Yeah – you with yourself, and me with myself.” – Rocky replies sarcastically to Barbie, showing their lack of genuine affection.
• Angie Rossini: “I could fall in love with the proper stranger, if I heard the bells and banjos ring.” – Angie dreams of a romanticized version of love, as highlighted in the lyrics of the title song of the movie.
• Angie Rossini: “You know, if you didn’t try so hard to play against it, you could be a pretty decent kind of a person.” – Angie confronts Rocky about his guarded nature, sensing a good person underneath his tough exterior.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8,500,000
• Domestic Gross: None
• Worldwide Gross: None

💥 Love with the Proper Stranger Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved ‘Love with the Proper Stranger’! Natalie Wood and Steve McQueen are fantastic together, and the story really resonated with me. The scene where they are trying to get an abortion is intense. This movie really made me think about how different things were back then. The ending was sweet, but I also felt like their journey was just beginning. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves classic movies that tackle real issues.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Hollywood cinema”
  • “Viewers interested in social dramas”
  • “Fans of Natalie Wood and Steve McQueen”
  • “Those interested in films set in 1960s New York”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Deals with the topic of illegal abortion”
  • “Some mature themes and language”
  • “May be disturbing for viewers sensitive to discussions about pregnancy termination”

Professional Reviews

• New York Times: “A daring and tender exploration of love and responsibility, ‘Love with the Proper Stranger’ showcases exceptional performances from Wood and McQueen. The film sensitively handles complex themes with a genuine emotional core, making it a timeless classic.
• Variety: “Though somewhat melodramatic at times, ‘Love with the Proper Stranger’ captivates with its raw portrayal of working-class life and the challenges of unplanned pregnancy. Wood and McQueen’s chemistry is undeniable, elevating the film beyond typical romance tropes.
• Chicago Tribune: “‘Love with the Proper Stranger’ is a poignant and well-crafted drama that explores societal pressures and personal choices with nuance. Wood delivers a career-defining performance, supported by McQueen’s understated charm and the film’s authentic New York backdrop.

Audience Reactions

Natalie Wood’s performance is captivating and emotionally charged.: Viewers praise the raw and realistic portrayal of love and societal pressures.

Steve McQueen shows surprising sensitivity and vulnerability.: Fans appreciate McQueen stepping out of his usual tough-guy persona.

Overall Consensus: A thought-provoking and emotionally resonant film praised for its performances, realistic portrayal of societal issues, and complex exploration of love and responsibility.

Awards

1. National Board of Review (Top Ten Films)- 1963

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Natalie Wood considered working on this film as the most rewarding experience in her film career.”
• “The film was daring for its time (1963) as it focused on the subject of an illegal abortion.”
• “Arnold Schulman’s screenplay credit appears right after the main title, an uncommon practice at the time.”
• “Much of the movie was shot on location in New York City’s Lower East Side”

🖥️ How to Watch Love with the Proper Stranger?

As a classic film, ‘Love with the Proper Stranger’ is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential television airings. Unfortunately it is not widely available on subscription streaming services like Netflix or Prime Video at this time.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Love with the Proper Stranger, you might like these similar films:

• Marty (1955): Both are realistic dramas set in New York featuring working-class protagonists navigating social pressures and the complexities of love and relationships.
• A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945): This classic captures the essence of urban family life in a bygone era, similar to ‘Love With the Proper Stranger,’ with a focus on the challenges and triumphs of working-class families.
• Juno (2007): Deals with the topic of an unplanned pregnancy and the choices a young woman has to make. The film has a similar tone to Love with the Proper Stranger and also provides some comic relief.
• Baby the Rain Must Fall (1965): Directed by Robert Mulligan and starring Steve McQueen, this movie shares the director and leading man with ‘Love with the Proper Stranger,’ exploring themes of responsibility and troubled relationships in a rural setting.

🛒 Love with the Proper Stranger Related Products

• Natalie Wood: A Life: A biography exploring the life and career of the legendary Natalie Wood, delving into her personal struggles and cinematic achievements.
• Steve McQueen: The Life and Legend of a Hollywood Icon: This biography delves into the life and career of Steve McQueen, chronicling his rise to fame and impact on Hollywood.
• Classic Movie Posters: Steve McQueen Collection: A curated collection of Steve McQueen movie posters, perfect for collectors and movie buffs looking to celebrate the actor’s legacy.
• The Essential Elmer Bernstein Film Music Collection: A digital compilation featuring the best scores from Elmer Bernstein, the composer behind ‘Love with the Proper Stranger’ and other classic films.

🎧 Soundtrack

Love with the Proper Stranger features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Love with the Proper Stranger” – performed by Jack Jones
• “Main Title” – performed by Elmer Bernstein
• “End Title” – performed by Elmer Bernstein

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

LOVE WITH A PROPER STRANGER- Gripping ABORTION Scene w/ NATALIE WOOD & STEVE MCQUEEN

Ever wondered about the real impact of ‘Love with a Proper Stranger’? Check out this intense abortion scene – it’s seriously powerful and shows a side of Natalie Wood you might not expect. You won’t be disappointed!

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