Paddy Chayefsky wrote this drama, so viewers would be right in thinking it is not a riotous comedy. Five coworkers who consider themselves friends decide to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of one of them-Arnold (Philip Abbott).
They all work in an accounting office where, it seems, little happiness resides. In fact, the entirety of their lives appears to thankless slogs, though they are at different points in life.
Charlie (Don Murray) is the central character. Between his job and night classes, he sees life as a "grind". His wife, Helen, is pregnant and it feels like the walls are closing in on him. On the positive side, Helen encourages him to attend the bachelor outing.
E. G. Marshall plays the part of Walter, the oldest of them. With decades of marriage and a brood of children, he might be what they all can hope for in life. He has little will or enthusiasm, as if enjoyment and positivity have been beaten out of him over the years. He likes to say, "I'm gonna die."
Larry Blyden plays Larry, married but younger than Walter. And Jack Warden is Eddie, the confirmed bachelor, who the other guys envy. They see his life as one adventure after another, unrestrained by marital bonds, pursuing women and living the good life. While it's true he pursues women non-stop, is he truly happy?
Little planning goes into the "bachelor party". It is understood there will be drinking, and there are vague hopes that some titillation will be had. The film follows them for the entirety of their night, primarily from the viewpoint of Charlie, documenting their gray existences and uncovering their fears and worries. One word best describes their realities: impotence. Their interactions with women, which are symbolic of their aspirations for the evening, turn out to be unfulfilling. All the men give advice to others at some point, but none of them is any example others should emulate.
As in most films of its time, the married men live vicariously through the exploits of their bachelor friends (or those who cheat). "The Apartment" (1960) comes to mind. Also, Boys' Night Out" (1962). But those films are comedies and filmed in color. "The Bachelor Party" shows drab interiors and a dark urbanscape, perfect settings for reality, not fantasy.
They all work in an accounting office where, it seems, little happiness resides. In fact, the entirety of their lives appears to thankless slogs, though they are at different points in life.
Charlie (Don Murray) is the central character. Between his job and night classes, he sees life as a "grind". His wife, Helen, is pregnant and it feels like the walls are closing in on him. On the positive side, Helen encourages him to attend the bachelor outing.
E. G. Marshall plays the part of Walter, the oldest of them. With decades of marriage and a brood of children, he might be what they all can hope for in life. He has little will or enthusiasm, as if enjoyment and positivity have been beaten out of him over the years. He likes to say, "I'm gonna die."
Larry Blyden plays Larry, married but younger than Walter. And Jack Warden is Eddie, the confirmed bachelor, who the other guys envy. They see his life as one adventure after another, unrestrained by marital bonds, pursuing women and living the good life. While it's true he pursues women non-stop, is he truly happy?
Little planning goes into the "bachelor party". It is understood there will be drinking, and there are vague hopes that some titillation will be had. The film follows them for the entirety of their night, primarily from the viewpoint of Charlie, documenting their gray existences and uncovering their fears and worries. One word best describes their realities: impotence. Their interactions with women, which are symbolic of their aspirations for the evening, turn out to be unfulfilling. All the men give advice to others at some point, but none of them is any example others should emulate.
As in most films of its time, the married men live vicariously through the exploits of their bachelor friends (or those who cheat). "The Apartment" (1960) comes to mind. Also, Boys' Night Out" (1962). But those films are comedies and filmed in color. "The Bachelor Party" shows drab interiors and a dark urbanscape, perfect settings for reality, not fantasy.