Andreas Vilic
I am delighted by this movie. Every character is unique and great. It shows so many sides to human nature that there are no people on this planet which couldn't find something of themselves in any of the characters. When you see the movie and think about it, you wouldn't lough if someone would just tell you the story, but when you see it, the funny part is that there is so much of it true, where ever you may look, even in your own family. Just fantastic!
elvircorhodzic
HOBSON'S CHOICE is a romantic comedy, which is characterized by fairly healthy humor. In the suburbs of Manchester lives a prominent shoe shop owner with his three daughters. A fairytale beginning of the story. Knowing the work of Mr. Lean, I expected something similar. However, the main protagonist is a tyrant, an alcoholic and a big stingy. His eldest daughter takes care of business and family. She is an extremely capable and smart woman. One day, after a domestic dispute, she decides to marry to a gifted boot maker in her father's shop ....The scenery is, as in any other film by Mr. Lean, very impressive. The opening scene is amazing. The director is in this case set up an interesting trap. In fact, already in the first scenes we can make hasty conclusions about the character of some of the protagonists. However, the characterization is being developed throughout the film, mostly in a comedy atmosphere and it includes many of the human virtues and flaws. Particularly fascinating is the relationship between a father, his eldest daughter and a unwanted son in law who takes the main role in the family at the end of the film.Charles Laughton as Henry Horatio Hobson is phenomenal in this role. He is the epitome of the grand egoism, and grumpiness. The protagonist who is evil, humorous and pathetic at the same time. Mr. Laugton is truly a master of the trade. Brenda De Banzie as Maggie Hobson is a fully realized character of a woman and shows a thorough, shrewd awareness of the secrets that every woman knows. However, she is a gentle and devoted wife. John Mills as Will Mossop is a collateral damage, if we ignore the end of the film. Son in law is to often a collateral damage. However, there is some symbolism. A smart and intelligent woman made a real husband and a businessman out of an ordinary, but talented guy.This movie is a little gem of the genre.
PamelaShort
Hobson's Choice is entertainment on film at it's grandest. First class performances from this solid sterling cast of brilliant British actors. Charles Laughton is absolutely perfect in his role as Henry Hobson, the arrogant widower with a weakness for the pubs who bosses his three daughters lives. Brenda De Banzie gives a very fine performance as the strong willed, eldest daughter Maggie. John Mills gives a most winning performance, as Willie Mossop, who transforms from a uneducated, unpolished character to an optimistic, assertive and finally self-assured man. He plays the part in such a subtle manner, which serves to make his character all the more believable. Daphne Anderson and Prunella Scales both give exceptional performances as Hobson's two youngest daughters. Set in 1880s London, Hobson is a boot-shop owner, who lords over his employees and three daughters by day, then nightly heads to the pubs. His strong willed eldest daughter Maggie, finally breaks free of her father's tyranny. She marries the slow Willie Mossop, and together they set up their own rival boot- shop when Hobson refuses to give her a dowry. Seething with anger, Hobson rants and raves, until he finally agrees to merger with his daughter. This now gives her husband Willie a new found confidence, as he has now been given a large position and the freedom over managing the business. This charming comedy with it's well written story, along with the magnificent acting, reaps a perfect, must see classic movie, that will always remain enjoyable to watch.
audiemurph
Let me start right off by saying that this may be the single greatest comedy of all time. Certainly the greatest I have ever seen. It is perfect from the first from to the last. Every scene, every line, is an absolute delight. Every character is appealing and full of great Brit eccentricism.In particular, John Mills as the evolving Willie Mossop, cobbler extraordinaire, may be the most likable character ever created in a movie. What a fine performance from one of England's greats.All right, let's get serious. British comedy has always been, to me, and many others, always funnier than our own here in the states. They are wittier and more playfully written, and the quirkiness of being British cannot be matched here. Let's face it, even the accents are just plain funnier. And this movie has it all in spades.Charles Loughton is perfect as the arrogant and haughty father and patriarch, whose daughters run rings around him.A couple of notes. First, the prolific Prunella Scales, who plays daughter Vicki, went on many years later to achieve immortality as Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers with John Cleese. Second, the Victorian London accents are a little tough to follow at times, and I had to use closed-captioning to go back and read what the actors were saying at some points. Third, I found it amusing how the characters would leave out the definite article "the" in certain situations: "get back into shop!" and "going to dentist", for example. Any linguists have any comments? Finally, a little continuity error: when the wedding feast is done, John Mills removes a couple of items from a nearly empty table; moments later, when Brenda De Banzie comes by a few moments later, the table suddenly fuller, including having on it flowers that were not there before.In sum, this movie should be on every comedy and British movie lover's must-see list.
AD
