Archie Rice (Laurence Olivier) is an over-the-hill performer struggling to stay in the business called show. He is doing a dwindling show with scantily-clad ladies in a fading seaside resort town. His daughter Jean Rice (Joan Plowright) wants to reconnect with him after having some relationship troubles of her own. She finds her family struggling, each in their own way.
The movie captures the sense of decay in this family. It is pure family dysfunction melodrama. Olivier got an Oscar nomination. A younger Plowright seems to be holding back for most of the movie to allow the dysfunctions shine. This movie can be a grind much like the family itself. Archie's declining performances are compelling. This is adapted from a play and I do wonder if some changes could make this more cinematic. If there are fewer characters, the movie could concentrate more on the father daughter relationship. There are some big names here, both legends and future stars. It is British grim realism at work.
The movie captures the sense of decay in this family. It is pure family dysfunction melodrama. Olivier got an Oscar nomination. A younger Plowright seems to be holding back for most of the movie to allow the dysfunctions shine. This movie can be a grind much like the family itself. Archie's declining performances are compelling. This is adapted from a play and I do wonder if some changes could make this more cinematic. If there are fewer characters, the movie could concentrate more on the father daughter relationship. There are some big names here, both legends and future stars. It is British grim realism at work.