AllMovie

Three Into Two Won't Go boasts a very solid cast, but that isn't enough to make it the compelling drama that it so very badly wants to be. Rather more valuable as a time capsule look at the 1960s (and, even moreso, at moviemaking in the 1960s) than as drama, Three will have an allure for many who lived through the period; however, those without the benefit of personal nostalgia will likely find it slow going. One of the problems with Three is that it's the sort of movie that thinks it's exploring serious topics when it fact all it is really is doing is raising those topics and then presenting superficial discussions of them. Thus, while it may flirt with issues like the traditional gender roles and balances of power, it does so in a manner which borders on the pretentious and is ultimately unsatisfying. Peter Hall's direction is quite good in terms of the performances he draws from the cast, but not quite so adept at navigating the pitfalls of the screenplay. All of the actors are hampered somewhat by the material, but all the stars nevertheless are quite memorable. Rod Steiger channels his intensity into a focused portrayal, Claire Bloom captures the inner fire beneath her character's cool exterior and Judy Geeson imbues the part with an easy manipulation that's just right.