A decent second film from David Lean, who would go on to direct some of the greatest films of all time. As with his other early films, Lean's material is a Noel Coward play. The film follows the lives of a middle class family between the Wars. As this film was released into a Britain battling overseas, it seems to be encouraging solidarity on the homefront, and the holding up of middle class values. But this is different from usual Noel Coward, and it's message is a little confused. One male character's liberalist ideas are seemingly stultified by a wife and kids, and he's encouraged just to live a normal, somewhat dreary suburban life. Spoiled daughter Queenie (Kay Walsh) wants to ascend to the upper class and live rich, but she meekly marries sailor John Mills (too old for the role, but still good). Coward seems to be virtually discouraging any movement out of a quiet suburban stratosphere. Every character seems to have to settle for what they don't want.
Celia Johnson (who would give one of the greatest female performances of all time in Lean's later "Brief Encounter") is excellent and very authentic as the mother. Robert Newton proves he can be subtle as well as eye-poppingly grandiose in his portrayal of the patriarchy of the family. Ronald Neame's Technicolour is very nice, but it lacks any atmosphere or particular "look" to it. I prefer the black-and-white mastery of "Brief Encounter", "Great Expectations" and "Madeleine". I liked the film, but there is nothing particularly interesting about the characters and it all just hums along. Better things were to come from David Lean in later years.
Celia Johnson (who would give one of the greatest female performances of all time in Lean's later "Brief Encounter") is excellent and very authentic as the mother. Robert Newton proves he can be subtle as well as eye-poppingly grandiose in his portrayal of the patriarchy of the family. Ronald Neame's Technicolour is very nice, but it lacks any atmosphere or particular "look" to it. I prefer the black-and-white mastery of "Brief Encounter", "Great Expectations" and "Madeleine". I liked the film, but there is nothing particularly interesting about the characters and it all just hums along. Better things were to come from David Lean in later years.