Wow, I saw this a few days ago and it is still coming back to haunt me. I have a huge crush on Kenneth Branagh, so I admit I am not totally objective, but I really do think he shines here as Jimmy Porter. Raging at one moment, sad the next, at another time vulnerable in his need for a woman's love and acceptance and yet pushing any woman who loves him away. Branagh is truly a versatile actor.
Emma Thompson is equally brilliant as his wife, Alison, and Thompson was married to Branagh at the time this play was filmed. They play well off each other. The supporting cast also shines.
The interesting thing about the Jimmy Porter character is, he has external factors to combat in life, but he is his own worst enemy and does not take responsibility for HIS role in how things seem to be turning out. He blames; he does not see how changing his own attitude and behavior might make things better. He just wants to stay angry. I have known people like this. Even so, you can't hate him.
His love/hate relationship with women is something I have certainly witnessed in real life, and so the play "gets to me." There's also a good plot here and it is not predictable. That's another plus.
Language like this must have REALLY shook up audiences in the fifties! Anyway, I like this version better than the film with Richard Burton. It is less censored than the film version I think and more "raw."
Emma Thompson is equally brilliant as his wife, Alison, and Thompson was married to Branagh at the time this play was filmed. They play well off each other. The supporting cast also shines.
The interesting thing about the Jimmy Porter character is, he has external factors to combat in life, but he is his own worst enemy and does not take responsibility for HIS role in how things seem to be turning out. He blames; he does not see how changing his own attitude and behavior might make things better. He just wants to stay angry. I have known people like this. Even so, you can't hate him.
His love/hate relationship with women is something I have certainly witnessed in real life, and so the play "gets to me." There's also a good plot here and it is not predictable. That's another plus.
Language like this must have REALLY shook up audiences in the fifties! Anyway, I like this version better than the film with Richard Burton. It is less censored than the film version I think and more "raw."