The Browning Version (1951) :
Brief Review -
Unlike anything you'd ever seen in a teacher-drama, and likely to be one of its own kind. I didn't know that British cinema, which has given us so many out-of-state humorous flicks in the 50s, could have something serious like this to offer the cinema lovers' fraternity. When I have to recall the best schoolteacher dramas, the first thing that comes to mind is "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" (1939). And this film even has a reference to that-only to show how completely opposite it was. The film is about Andrew Crocker-Harris, a cold-hearted school teacher who is afflicted with a heart ailment and an unfaithful wife. His interest in his pupils wanes as he looks towards his final days of employment and starts off on a new journey in the late days of life. Terence Rattigan's writing is really powerful as it deals with certain extreme points such as solitude, compassion, love, sacrifice, betrayal, pity, strain, and the dark secrets of life. Such a classic mix he made. One has to admire the writing more than anything else here, as it gathers so many classic features in 90 minutes. The screenplay doesn't give you a moment to blink. How quickly it takes off and you don't even realise when you become a part of it. The second best thing has to be the extremely committed performances of all the actors, especially Michael Redgrave. The Cannes Film Festival was right to pick him as the best actor. He deserved it like, by far, by a wide margin-no competition at all. Jean Kent's unfaithful wife is as good as any legendary actress of the time, whereas Nigel Patrick is too good in his superbly written character. He is neither bad nor good, and how often do we see the supporting characters written so beautifully? Brian Smith may be a kid, but he was a grown-up actor for sure. Anthony Asquith's grip over the narrative is unshakeable. It's a painful film to watch, but believe me, it was a more difficult film to make, and Anthony did exceptionally well.
RATING - 7.5/10*
By - #samthebestest.
Unlike anything you'd ever seen in a teacher-drama, and likely to be one of its own kind. I didn't know that British cinema, which has given us so many out-of-state humorous flicks in the 50s, could have something serious like this to offer the cinema lovers' fraternity. When I have to recall the best schoolteacher dramas, the first thing that comes to mind is "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" (1939). And this film even has a reference to that-only to show how completely opposite it was. The film is about Andrew Crocker-Harris, a cold-hearted school teacher who is afflicted with a heart ailment and an unfaithful wife. His interest in his pupils wanes as he looks towards his final days of employment and starts off on a new journey in the late days of life. Terence Rattigan's writing is really powerful as it deals with certain extreme points such as solitude, compassion, love, sacrifice, betrayal, pity, strain, and the dark secrets of life. Such a classic mix he made. One has to admire the writing more than anything else here, as it gathers so many classic features in 90 minutes. The screenplay doesn't give you a moment to blink. How quickly it takes off and you don't even realise when you become a part of it. The second best thing has to be the extremely committed performances of all the actors, especially Michael Redgrave. The Cannes Film Festival was right to pick him as the best actor. He deserved it like, by far, by a wide margin-no competition at all. Jean Kent's unfaithful wife is as good as any legendary actress of the time, whereas Nigel Patrick is too good in his superbly written character. He is neither bad nor good, and how often do we see the supporting characters written so beautifully? Brian Smith may be a kid, but he was a grown-up actor for sure. Anthony Asquith's grip over the narrative is unshakeable. It's a painful film to watch, but believe me, it was a more difficult film to make, and Anthony did exceptionally well.
RATING - 7.5/10*
By - #samthebestest.