Film Reviews by GH

A quite astonishing film, full of dark nuances.  The “duet” of the children’s “saviour” and the murderous “preacher” both singing “Leaning” near the end is riveting and spine tingling.  

Leaves you wondering what else Laughton might have achieved if the film had been better received. 

Excellent performances. Alister Sim was outstanding. Set before the Great War it’s about grotesque inequalities - of wealth, of opportunity, of employment, of gender, of attitudes towards those less privileged. And nothing much has really changed. The fundamental inequalities still remain, much to our shame. 

The story, such as it was, didn’t flow and was rather trivial. Supposedly a satire on upper class twits it didn’t really strike home. 

The essentials of the plot have been well described by others here.  I was very impressed with how intricately the various strands of the plot, and the different characters relationships to each other were explored and dissected.  The themes of racism, "othering", borders and boundaries were handled expertly, from the raucous discussion on Texas history in the School, to the denouement.  All the cast were superb with the production crew at the top of their game.

Quite amusing in places, if you suspend disbelief but it’s the dancing that draws you in.  Was there ever a better duo of such sublime brilliance?