AllMovie

A Certain Smile is overall only a middling little soap opera, but it's one that fans of the genre will probably enjoy just fine. This is largely due to the beautiful look of the film, which is glossed to a high sheen and is definitely all the better for it. Let's start with Milton Krasner's yummy cinematography, which gives us a moving photo album record of some absolutely gorgeous scenery. The location shooting is used to excellent advantage, as the vistas are stunning, and Krasner's camera knows just how to capture and frame it for greedy visual consumption. The set design is equally arresting, and Charles LeMaire and Mary Wills have provided costumes that fit the surroundings admirably. And it's hard to fault the beauty of the main players, from Christine Carere's fresh loveliness to Joan Fontaine's classic looks, or Rossano Brazzi's suave experienced features to Bradford Dillman's youthful vigor. As a silent movie, Smile undoubtedly pleases. But then sound is added, and the troubles begin, for the screenplay is woefully uninteresting, the characters difficult to care much about, and the dialogue predictable to a fault. Johnny Mathis' warbling of the agreeable title tune is a treat, but little else that comes out of a character's mouth pleases very much.