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It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Besides the title song, The Tender Trap doesn't have much going for it. Frank Sinatra plays a playboy bachelor, and David Wayne, a family man, envies his lifestyle. One day, David leaves his wife and children and decides he's going to live "the life" too. While he becomes infatuated with Frank's current squeeze, Celeste Holme, Frank is left to play around with aspiring actress Debbie Reynolds. Only, Debbie is a very good girl; she won't take any love-em-and-leave-em behavior.I was never a Debbie Reynolds fan; she always seemed enormously insincere and amateur. If the king of all bachelors is going to be hooked in by somebody, she'd better be worth it—and I have a hard time believing Debbie Reynolds is worth it. It's pretty dated, with lots of jokes about men's view of "death by marriage", and won't really appeal to modern women. Do yourself a favor: listen to the song and skip the movie.

'The Tender Trap' had a lot going for it, namely with the casting of Frank Sinatra, Debbie Reynolds (my main reason in seeing the film in tribute to her), David Wayne and Celeste Holm. Charles Walters has also had his share of solid films.And that is what 'The Tender Trap' is, a solid film. This said, it is not going to appeal to everybody and considering the high calibre of talent it could easily have been great. It's pleasant, it's charming, it's well-performed and it's well made, it just needed more spice and tenderness with it feeling a little bland in places.It is lacking in the romantic department and is uneven in the comedy. There is a lack of chemistry between Sinatra and Reynolds, their chemistry is clinical and not particularly warm and one never gets the sense that they are in love, partly because of the character and writing that Reynolds has to work with but it was like she and Sinatra didn't get on.Reynolds' role and material don't play to her strengths, an example of a normally adorable and very bubbly screen presence that captivates in charm made to look stiff and annoying. The script is uneven, it sparkles with the supporting cast (especially with Celeste Holm) but falls flat with Reynolds, the wittier moments not always being sharp enough.However, Walters does do a competent job directing and 'The Tender Trap' is filmed with real elegance with the production values in general being sumptuous and charmingly 50s (for someone who really likes 50s production values the look of the film was in no way a flaw). One of 'The Tender Trap's' biggest pleasures is the timeless title song, beautifully and intimately staged and after hearing Sinatra sing it with such impeccable control and phrasing and his unmistakable timbre one cannot imagine the song sung by anybody else other than him. The music overall fits beautifully.While the writing is uneven, there are parts that do sparkle in a witty way, there are a few poignant moments and while some of what it has to say does not hold up now and may not be in the best of taste for some for me those parts illuminated still. The story charms a good deal and doesn't bore.Sinatra is perfectly cast and has endearing charisma. The supporting cast are even better, especially incandescently classy Celeste Holm and hilarious David Wayne (the morning-after scene is an absolute joy). A pre-Morticia Addams Carolyn Jones is also notable.On the whole, charming and pleasant but could have been better. 7/10 Bethany Cox

i have to disagree!!! This is one of my faves from Frank Sinatra. I believe that the first time i was watched it was when i was volunteering at a nursing home. Seeing him was like love at first sight. I am in love with that man...even though he is long gone. This is the movie that made me love him so much. I love it how he has women drooling over him and he is not really into them but he falls for the one that does not like him at first. I think it was great. I loved how they were together!!! love love love...did i mention i love the movie? These types of movie make me realize how those romantic days are long gone. Guys don't escort females that way anymore. The love, passion, romanticism...it's all gone!!! but this movie makes me feel like i belong in those time. LOVE IT!=D

When the eyes are Debbie Reynolds and the viewer is Frank Sinatra, you can expect a lot of fun and The Tender Trap delivers that fun.Frank Sinatra stars in the movie version of a play which had a modest run on Broadway concerning an actor's agent who's got the life we only dream about. Since this was the kind of life Sinatra really had, it sure isn't an acting stretch for him. Still Sinatra plays this thing very well. Of course everyone has beauties like Celeste Holm, Lola Albright, Jarma Lewis, and Carolyn Jones around. They all got a piece of old Blue Eyes.In steps new client Debbie Reynolds, the 1950s all time good girl and she's not tolerating Frank's wolfish ways. She's got marriage on the mind.It's an interesting commentary on the times that back in the 1950s, the ultimate goal for a woman was the house with the white picket fence, husband, and three kids. Even for one as obviously talented as Debbie Reynolds.Sinatra's also got a male guest in the house, childhood friend David Wayne who blew in from Indiana and has announced his intention of getting in on Sinatra's action. He's left his wife, home, and three kids and is having an early midlife crisis. I think you can figure the rest of the plot from here.One thing the play on Broadway didn't have was that wonderful title tune that James Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn wrote. Sinatra opens the film with that song before the title credits and Reynolds later sings it in the film. I remember what a mega-hit it was for Frank back in the day. So perfectly suited for him and his style. All I can say is Ring-a-ding ding ding.Frank and Debbie do well together, too bad they never made another film together. The following year she made one with her husband Eddie Fisher and the demand for the team was underwhelming.Everyone, but especially Sinatra aficionados should love this one.