edwagreen
The film's redeeming quality is the performance of Dame Edith Evans. Dame Edith, who was so good in "The Nun's Story," 8 years before, shines here in the lead role of an elderly woman, living a bleak existence is a run-down part of London.With her miserable existence, Dame Edith seems to survive doing charitable work, attending church services and complaining about her life's daily existence. She seems to make the most of her drab atmosphere. The scene, particularly at the beginning, reminded me very much of that in "How Green Was My Valley."The film also brings out that while the government attempts to aid the elderly in England, they really don't do a very good job.The crime element here of Mrs. Ross (Edith Evans) being a victim is subordinate in relation to her difficult life. Her husband walked out on her so many years before and her son is jailed for robbery.Eric Portman, as her husband, plays the husband who returns to her after many years, when contacted by the police following Mrs. R's near fatal bout with pneumonia. You know he is never coming back after he literally falls into all that money."Are you there,?" Mrs. Ross asks after returning home. The emptiness of her life shall continue, but there must be some renewed satisfaction on her part for being able to resume the life she led-alone for so long.The picture doesn't succeed here because we're longing for better days for Mrs. Ross. Those happy days, away from her for so long, are not coming back.
brainfood-1
There are many goo reasons to watch this gritty, incredibly depressing and yet rewarding film, but the biggest thrill for me was the unexpected cameo by Leonard Rossiter. As someone who watched "The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin" as a young teen (which had a huge impact on me) and who thinks Leonard was a one-of-a-kind actor, one of those rare performers who is so unique he cannot be imitated or duplicated, any glimpse of him performing different kinds of roles is always a treat to come across. It's great to see him playing a bit part here, completely convincing (as always) and without a hint of humor, again showing he was just an incredible actor first, who later became known for being a truly exceptional comedic performer with such characters as Rigsby the landlord in Rising Damp. If you are a fan, it's great to get a glimpse of him from 1967.
macpet49-1
Dame Edith Evans wonderfully protrays a fragile human being at the end of her life. What you will come away with from this movie other than the beauty of her performance, is the base nature of most human beings. It is the perfect film for a psych student and is as relevant today as it was then. Human beings haven't changed--if anything, they are more so! What makes us tick is basic selfishness, ego and lust. We seldom truly love another person even when we think we do. Everything we build is for ourselves. All lovers of Ronald Reagan ought to be strapped in their seats for this one! They'll love seeing themselves. If you have longed to believe in the human race, DON'T see this film!! If the truth about us is too hard to take, DON'T see this film. If you feel you are a good person, DON'T see this film! It doesn't pretend to represent anything, it just is. If you think humanity is worth saving, SEE this film! Personally, I pray for global warming. We're just no damn good. We muck up everything and then complain about it.
sol-
There are many good qualities in this study of paranoia, loneliness, ageing and exploitation, among other themes, with its virtues ranging from a great mood setting score by John Barry, to excellent camera angles and aptly stark sets, all of which fit in with the general atmosphere of the film. In an Oscar nominated role, Edith Evans also gives off a fine performance, and there is some good work with extended dissolves to edit between different shots. It is not an easy film to like and admire in spite of its virtues though. There are excesses of melodrama thrown in, such as cops and robbers, and these subplots serve to distract from the protagonist. The lack of dialogue at times is distracting in itself too, and there are also odd characters in small segments thrown in here and there that do nothing at all. The dual spoken narration is also rather awkward. Yes, there are some things that can be complained about here - one could also complain that the nastiness is excessive. There is still a lot that makes this a good film however, and these virtues definitely show through. It is an excellent film, but it may not satisfy all tastes. Bryan Forbes is a great director, and almost all his films are worth a look if one is interested in good directing regardless of the plot or characters.
AD
