This 1970 British kitchen sink/family drama is caught between the early 60s, bleak, black and white versions of this sub genre, like, say, "Taste Of Honey" and "A Kind Of Loving" and the later, more whimsical incarnations offered by Mike Leigh. Unfortunately, it feels watered down compared to the Tony Richardson and John Schlesinger films, with a most unconvincing happy ending, and not as inspiredly quirky as Leigh's best works like "Life Is Sweet" and "Secrets And Lies". Throw in cinematography and direction that look and feel like Brit TV that has been tossed onto the big screen and you can see why the whole thing is somewhat underwhelming.
As usual with UK movies, it is the acting that saves it. Mason and George are excellent as are two actors of whom I was previously unaware, Hannah Gordon and Len Jones. Best performance, in my opinion, though, is turned in by Diana Coupland as the mom who is aware of what a jerk her husband is, but cannot help loving him, and who expresses these dueling emotions in an under stated yet forceful manner. C plus.
As usual with UK movies, it is the acting that saves it. Mason and George are excellent as are two actors of whom I was previously unaware, Hannah Gordon and Len Jones. Best performance, in my opinion, though, is turned in by Diana Coupland as the mom who is aware of what a jerk her husband is, but cannot help loving him, and who expresses these dueling emotions in an under stated yet forceful manner. C plus.