If any of you wondered why James Mason wasn't cast as the patriarch in The Family Way, check out the British family flick Spring and Port Wine. While the plot isn't the same, it has a very similar feel to it. He's a husband and father who tries his best but doesn't have a great relationship with his family. The lifestyle and dialogue are both very British, and it feels like a slice of life in one unhappy happy family. Everyone has a natural chemistry together, as if they've really lived under the same roof for thirty years. James is very strict with his children, but he has extremely good intentions.
In one way or another, the family always seem to get the better of him. His eldest son gets away with smoking in the house as long as he puts out the cigarette a few minutes before James comes home. His eldest daughter has a boyfriend he doesn't approve of. His wife, Diana Coupland, is terrible with the household budget and borrows from her neighbors and children to fool James into thinking she didn't overspend. When his entitled, attitude-ridden teenage daughter asks for a different meal during their afternoon tea, James takes offense. It isn't enough that Diana slaves away in the kitchen to prepare a lovely fried haddock; now she has to prepare a second meal for one person's serving? He argues that she should eat the dinner out of respect to her mother, and she smugly states, "There's nothing you can say that will make me eat it."
There sprouts a battle of the wills. Under James's direction, Diana brings out the same plate of fried herring for her daughter during every meal. She either eats the haddock or she doesn't eat at all. I'm sure people in the audience will take father or daughter's side, and I unapologetically took James's side. I understood his strict parenting style and agreed that it was best for his goals. When his kids tried to get back at him, go behind his back, or disrespect him, it hurt to watch. Since I also know that the Masons had difficulty raising their own children, I could only imagine how much this script hit home for him. Plus, James has such expressive eyes, when he's hurt, disappointed, or regretful, it just makes me want to sweep him up in a bear hug.
In one way or another, the family always seem to get the better of him. His eldest son gets away with smoking in the house as long as he puts out the cigarette a few minutes before James comes home. His eldest daughter has a boyfriend he doesn't approve of. His wife, Diana Coupland, is terrible with the household budget and borrows from her neighbors and children to fool James into thinking she didn't overspend. When his entitled, attitude-ridden teenage daughter asks for a different meal during their afternoon tea, James takes offense. It isn't enough that Diana slaves away in the kitchen to prepare a lovely fried haddock; now she has to prepare a second meal for one person's serving? He argues that she should eat the dinner out of respect to her mother, and she smugly states, "There's nothing you can say that will make me eat it."
There sprouts a battle of the wills. Under James's direction, Diana brings out the same plate of fried herring for her daughter during every meal. She either eats the haddock or she doesn't eat at all. I'm sure people in the audience will take father or daughter's side, and I unapologetically took James's side. I understood his strict parenting style and agreed that it was best for his goals. When his kids tried to get back at him, go behind his back, or disrespect him, it hurt to watch. Since I also know that the Masons had difficulty raising their own children, I could only imagine how much this script hit home for him. Plus, James has such expressive eyes, when he's hurt, disappointed, or regretful, it just makes me want to sweep him up in a bear hug.