Picnic (1955 Film) - Reception

Reception

Picnic was successful both financially and critically when first released. In the wake of changing tastes and cinematic trends during the 1960s, the film was dismissed in retrospective reviews written during the next two decades. Restoration was performed on the film in the mid-1990s, which brought many art-house bookings. By the end of the 20th century, critics were praising its resonant portrayal of small-town life in America during the Eisenhower era, along with its melodic soundtrack and strong performances by a supporting cast, including Arthur O'Connell (reprising the role he played during Picnic's successful run on Broadway) and a young Susan Strasberg. A half-century later, both of these performances still drew wide praise.

Holden's charisma as Hal has been acknowledged in later reviews, but the role is not cited as among the best of his career. Although Novak's character was quietly rebelling against being thought of as "only pretty", she has nonetheless been criticized as being too passive in the role. Rosalind Russell's performance as an emotionally distraught, often overbearing middle-aged schoolteacher has drawn both admiring and highly dismissive commentary in DVD reviews. Much of Picnic's lasting appeal seems to derive from its well-drawn supporting characters and subplots, the authentic location settings in central Kansas and the time-capsule depiction of life in 1955 small-town America.