Period of Adjustment

Period of Adjustment is a 1962 American comedy-drama film directed by George Roy Hill from a screenplay written by Isobel Lennart, based on Tennessee Williams' 1960 play of the same name. The film stars Tony Franciosa, Jane Fonda, Jim Hutton and Lois Nettleton. Period of Adjustment was released on October 31, 1962 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and marked Hill's directorial debut. The film also launched Fonda to bankable film stardom, earning her a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical. Plot Two couples are experiencing difficulty in their marital relationships. Newlyweds Isabel and George Haverstick are having a problem because George has bouts of sexual performance anxiety and has quit his job without telling her. George's war buddy Ralph is at odds with his wife Dottie, whom he had married for money, and he dislikes her wealthy parents. Ralph is also upset with Isabel for allowing their young son to play with a doll. Isabel and George visit Ralph on Christmas Eve, but Dottie has left Ralph. George and Isabel fight constantly and she angrily objects to his neglect. Ralph consoles Isabel and tries to convince George to show her some kindness. Dottie peers in the window and sees Isabel in the house, assuming the worst. When Dottie's angry parents arrive to collect her belongings, Isabel defends George's war record to Dottie's mother, causing George to experience a change of heart as he overhears. Dottie's father unsuccessfully tries to have Ralph arrested for attempted embezzlement. Ralph viciously humiliates Dottie on the ride back to the house from the police station.