by Eleanor Mannikka
synopsis
Miss Cuple starts off on a good footing that soon slips and undercuts the comedic potential of this story about unrequited love. The title character, excellently played by Mary Santpere, is an ugly duckling who did not grow up into a beautiful bird but still wants to warble. She is intent on belting out old-fashioned songs in one sequence, and the result is hilarious. But then she falls for the young man who is courting her girlfriend, and as her life changes, the film turns serious. This reversal that leads toward the conclusion does not work quite as well as the more entertaining and funny opening gambits.
