This saga based on the novel by columnist Sheila Graham is the story of her relationship with troubled writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. For a large percentage of the first half of the film, Gregory Peck is charming, romantic yet brooding. He's been having issues in his writing career and turns to Hollywood where he is eventually fired and turns to excessive drink, an issue that leads to a violent episode with his lover, Sheila Graham (Deborah Kerr),a woman dealing with her own insecurities and at her wit's end of how to help him. In one early dramatic scene, she confesses the truth about her past, being an orphan, and making up an entire history in order to achieve some dignity and create a reputation as her career as a journalist takes off. These are two attractive people who have far too many issues to be in a successful romance, and even though they seem to live in luxury, that doesn't necessarily make them happy people.

Fitzgerald mentions to Graham that his wife, Zelda, is in a mental institution, but Zelda is never seen and only briefly talked about. they both influence each other in happier moments, and like in "From Here to Eternity" (with Burt Lancaster),Kerr shares a romantic beach scene with Peck. the explosive emotions of the film are aided by the lush cinemascope photography, luxurious sets and Franz Waxman's gorgeous musical score. Kerr and Peck are absolutely gorgeous together while this seems a romantic, but when the neuroses of their characters take over, it brings out an ugliness that no amount of physical beauty can repair.

The legacy of both stars has Kerr seen as feisty but sexless, and Peck as always heroic and noble. But behind Kerr's prim demeanor, there has always been a lioness, and behind Peck's image of a strong, quiet man of grace, there was the desire to show humanity's Dark Side. The actor who has one historical Acclaim as Atticus Finch is known for only one villainous role, Josef Mengele in "The Boys from Brazil", and while he is certainly no hideous villain like that here, the scene where he attacks Kerr is quite horrifying especially as he ridicules her for her past then threatens to kill her, destroying her bedroom while looking for a gun.

I can't vouch for the accuracy of the script as being true to Graham and Fitzgerald's story, but as a drama of Hollywood's effect on the human psyche, it is intense and especially well acted. Eddie Albert offers fine support as a confidant to both, providing much-needed comic relief when it is definitely required. what this does Express is the darkness that comes through in artists of Fitzgerald's temperament, and after reading the story of his tempestuous relationship with wife Zelda, it does indeed ring true. The theme of the film shows that sometimes the only way to cure emotional ailments it's you had a complete breakdown, which causes a necessary rebuilding. Superb direction by Henry King make this an unforgettable A picture that hits all the right emotions.

There is a scene in this film at about the 42 minute mark that is among the worst I have seen in some time. As F. Scott Fitzgerald (Gregory Peck) and Sheilah Graham (Deborah Kerr) are lounging on the beach, suddenly things become tense and Sheilah begins to cry--at which point she tells her lover about her sordid past. This "dramatic scene" becomes so terribly overdone and histrionic I couldn't help but turn to my wife and exclaim how stupid it all was...as dramatic music swelled on the television as it all came to a phony crescendo. NO ONE experiences moments like this--no one. Now how much of the rest of the film is true, I cannot say, but this particular moment was laughably bad and as fake as an $8 Rolex--and leads me to assume that some of the other reviewers were correct--the film is a lot of bunk. However, I am not an expert on the life of these two people and the internet didn't seem to clear this up, either.

Just who were F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sheilah Graham and what was their relationship really like? What I do know about Fitzgerald, however, does seem different from what I saw in the film. Was he the suave and decent man we initially see in the film? Well, considering he was married at the same time he was carrying on with Graham and drank like a fish, I'd assume he wasn't. Was he as obnoxious and boorish as we later see in the film? Perhaps, but if he was this bad AND yet Ms. Graham stayed with him, then this makes her out to be a complete dummy--and not someone you'd like to see featured in a film. And, if he wasn't, then the film does a poor disservice to his memory. Either way, it made for a painful and not particularly pleasant viewing experience.

The sum total of this film appears to be a tale of two not particularly likable or healthy people. In a dark and salacious way, some might find this all very entertaining, but most are sure to see this as a train wreck with no surprises along the way! Unpleasant but with glossy production values (especially the music, which was lovely but way over the top) it begs the question "why did they even choose to make this in the first place?". The bottom line--it's a pretty bad film all around and probably not worth your time--even if, like me, you are big Gregory Peck fan.

Beloved Infidel is the story of the real life romance between Hollywood gossip columnist Sheilah Graham (Deborah Kerr) and legendary writer F. Scott Fitzgerald (Gregory Peck). It is based on Graham's autobiography and the story is definitely told through her eyes. Plain and simple, the story is a soap opera and the quality of writing fits it. For a story about two professional writers, the script fails to properly develop the characters. Graham has one scene about 40 minutes in when she opens up a reveals the truth about herself, but it is not built on and scarcely mentioned again as the story transitions to a focus on Fitzgerald's drinking, which comes out a left field.

Kerr gives a good performance given how little she has to work with, and Peck tries his best to match her. However, Peck is a little miscast in this role as the emotionally troubled Fitzgerald. In between well done emotional outbursts, Peck reverts to his traditional stoicism, which works well in many of his other roles, but feels slightly out of place here. There is also a surprising no appearance by or hardly a mention of Fitzgerald's wife, Zelda. A fascinating person who at this point in her life was in a sanitarium. That is just one example of Graham's influence on the script, keeping the focus off of her lover's wife.

Ultimately, Beloved Infidel is probably not worth your time unless you are a big fan of F. Scott Fitzgerald or Deborah Kerr.