Hi Doc,
I'm saying his wife did NOT appear in the film. But in the book, she's present at the first pool where Ned begins his journey - as if they are just a happy couple visiting friends.
In the film, Ned only talks about his wife when he's at the first pool (and he even names his trek of swimming pools "The Lucinda River" after his wife), but by the end of the movie we can assume that he and Lucinda have been broken up (or worse) for at least several months if not longer.
If the movie had been just like the book - with Lucinda present at the beginning - then it probably would've left audiences scratching their heads even MORE than they already were by the end.
I'm saying his wife did NOT appear in the film. But in the book, she's present at the first pool where Ned begins his journey - as if they are just a happy couple visiting friends.
In the film, Ned only talks about his wife when he's at the first pool (and he even names his trek of swimming pools "The Lucinda River" after his wife), but by the end of the movie we can assume that he and Lucinda have been broken up (or worse) for at least several months if not longer.
If the movie had been just like the book - with Lucinda present at the beginning - then it probably would've left audiences scratching their heads even MORE than they already were by the end.

On another subject, I've always read that Lancaster was tough to work with-- very demanding and a bit of a bully. I grew up on his films though, and really liked him.