Middle of the Night is very much a product of the 1950s, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. True, some of Middle's story feels dated, and the décor, clothes and other trappings are part of that decade; but what places Middle squarely in the 1950s really is its atmosphere, its style of filmmaking. There's a seriousness of intent here which isn't meant to imply there is no comedy; rather, this is about filmmakers intent on capturing the small moments of everyday lives and analyzing it in a manner that seems very much a product of its times and different from the manner in which the ordinary was viewed by films in the 1940s or the 1960s. Some will find this approach a bit too studied, will find that Paddy Chayefsky's dialogue is a bit too theatrical for the "everydayness" of the setting. But that theatricality gives the film a distinctive flavor, as well as a wit and insight that is rewarding. Delbert Mann's direction is also a bit on the stodgy side, lacking in sufficient visual flair, but it does allow his performers to strut their stuff, and they do not disappoint. Kim Novak turns in a very fine performance, revealing more of her talent than most roles allowed, and Fredric March, while perhaps not the ideal candidate for Chayefsky's Jewish milieu, makes Jerry a very real and very sympathetic character. The supporting cast is excellent, with special nods to the superb work of Lee Grant and Martin Balsam.