The Loved One
The Loved One
NR | 11 October 1965 (USA)
The Loved One Trailers

Newly arrived in Hollywood from England, Dennis Barlow finds he has to arrange his uncle's interment at the highly-organised and very profitable Whispering Glades funeral parlour. His fancy is caught by one of their cosmeticians, Aimee Thanatogenos. But he has three problems - the strict rules of owner Blessed Reverand Glenworthy, the rivalry of embalmer Mr Joyboy, and the shame of now working himself at The Happy Hunting Ground pets' memorial home.

Reviews
Hellen I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much
Titreenp SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?
Brennan Camacho Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.
Paynbob It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.
bkoganbing I have to say that I was somewhat disappointed in watching The Loved One after all the acclaim it has gotten. There are several wonderful cameos by a lot of the name stars that Tony Richardson got for the film. But in looking back it seems it just wasn't the sum of all its parts.The Loved One is not a satire on the funeral business per se, it is a satire on it when it's done Hollywood style. In Tinseltown everything is done gaudier even burying one. Robert Morse is an English poet who arrives in Hollywood to meet with Uncle John Gielgud who promptly offs himself.As the closest relative by blood and geography Morse gets to make the funeral arrangements. The film is his experiences doing so. And since poetry doesn't exactly pay the rent Morse decides to go into the burying business.Lots of familiar faces are crammed into The Loved One. Liberace as the funeral home director and Rod Steiger as the cosmetician to the dead stars are shown to best advantage. The Loved One runs a bit too long and much of the satire just doesn't gel.If you like to stargaze however, you can't go wrong with The Loved One.
winters_day After reading the loved one not once but twice in a week I knew I had to see this movie. I had to order it from the US because I couldn't find it here in Australia. I was looking forward to seeing the movie and it didn't disappoint. My version is in black and white but that does not bother me. The movie differs slightly from the novel but I think the deviations are in the spirit of the book. The standout performances were Rod Steiger as Mr Joyboy, Anjanette Comer as Aimee and the one and only Liberace as a coffin salesman. I also have to give an honourable mention to the young actor who plays the science geek. This film could be remade today but you would have to choose the cast very carefully. If you love the book, I think you will love this film too. Enjoyed it so much now one of my favourites.
Tad Pole . . . at least while watching THE LOVED ONE. Instead of FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL, it's like THE LOVED ONE is "One wedding and a "Fun-for-All" funeral smörgåsbord. Strippers pop out of caskets, the hot chick embalms only herself, and ARTHUR's butler takes a one-way drop at his swimming pool. Clearly, THE LOVED ONE is a laugh riot--if you're a maggot. Caskets in 1965 are sold like today's Affordable Care Act health plans: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. For Bronze money, your eternal resting place is only waterproof. Pony up for Silver, and you stay "moisture resistant" for all time. But if you have a problem with "dampness," you had better "Go for the Gold." Rod Steiger is a real gut-buster as mortician Laf Joyboy, while Jonathan Winters' twin character outings lampoon Scientology in his role as proprietor\prophet-in-residence of Whispering Glades Cemetery while also spoofing Bhuddism as the family black sheep tabbed to run Happy Hunting Grounds Pet Cemetery. Though some scenes here play like tepid sketch comedy, others seem to foretell today's world. Fire up the grills, anyone?
j-lacerra There are those who would have you believe that The Loved One is some sort of ingenious satire or comedic classic. Forget that! It is a boring, disconnected little movie with very little to sell. The first and foremost disaster of this flick is its primary star, Robert Morse. Never have I seen Morse perform any role convincingly or with any trace of humor or comic ability. This picture could well be his worst outing, in which his talentless persona is on screen most of the time.John Gielgud plays John Gielgud, as always. Jonathan Winters disappoints in a dual role as the heavy and his relative, a light heavy. It is rare for Winters to fail, and says a good deal about direction, or lack of it.The remaining cast, which includes James Coburn, Rod Steiger, Milton Berle, Robert Morley, Tab Hunter, and Anjanette Comer, all crash and burn on the total lack of a script or plot (no pun intended), and the absence of any skilled direction. Liberace alone comes through with an understated and humorous performance; humorous but not funny. The black & white film format is not used to advantage, and just makes the Loved One look like a cheap-jack B-movie.One to avoid.