A Rather English Marriage (1998) (TV)

Director:

Paul Seed

Writers:

Andrew Davies (writer)
Angela Lambert (novel)

Release Date:

3 October 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A squadron leader and a retired milkman decide to bury their differences and move in together after they are both widowed on the very same night...

Plot Keywords:

Unlikely Friendship | Flashback Sequence | Financial Problem | Engagement | Husband Wife Relationship

Awards:

6 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Albert Finney	...	Reggie Conyngham-Jervis
Tom Courtenay	...	Roy Southgate
Joanna Lumley	...	Liz Franks
John Light	...	Young Reggie
Joanna Scanlan	...	Sister
Priyanga Elan	...	Dr. Swann
Ursula Howells	...	Mary
Katie Carr	...	Young Mary
Aileen O'Gorman	...	Grace
Iain Jones	...	Young Roy
Caroline Carver	...	Young Grace
Rebecca Clarke	...	Nurse
Laura Heath	...	Felicity
Rosamund Pike	...	Celia
Lucy Robinson	...	Susan

Runtime:

USA:104 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Filming Locations:

Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, UK

Company:

Wall to Wall Television

Quotes:

Reggie Conyngham-Jervis: What did you tell her? What did you say to her?
Roy Southgate: Your nephew would have told her if I hadn't. She would have had to find out sooner or later. Only fair she should know. I mean, it's true, isn't it, about the house and that.
Reggie Conyngham-Jervis: Of course it's bloody well true, you bloody idiot, but you didn't have to spill the beans! She's gone now. Left me. Thanks to you, gone abroad. My last chance at happiness!
Roy Southgate: Perhaps you're better off without her. I mean, she was only after you because she thought you were rich.
[...]

Movie Connections:

References The Dresser (1983)

A Uniquely English Classic

A modern television classic set in the Eighties, A Rather English Marriage tells the story of two recently widowed men; a brash World War Two squadron leader (Albert Finney) and a retired milkman (Tom Courtenay) who form an unlikely alliance as they come to terms with their bereavements.

The two men miss their wives for totally different reasons, Roy Southgate (Courtenay) is a loyal, devoted husband who spends hours with his wife when visiting her at hospital. Reggie Conyngham-Jervis (Finney) is a philanderer who relies on his wife mainly for her cooking and cleaning skills and sees his hospital visits as time that could be better spent in the pub.

When a social worker sees that each man could be the solution to the other's problems, these two characters (complete opposites plagued by personal problems they try to keep hidden) who were hospital waiting room acquaintances are now brought together full time.

This is the sort of charming, well-written television drama that nobody seems to want to make anymore, the two leads forming an even more effective partnership than they did in The Dresser fifteen years earlier where Finney stole the show.

Courtenay is superbly understated, Finney is more powerful and boisterous and probably the more versatile actor. Their contrasting styles complement each other perfectly.

Although this is mainly a double-act, Joanna Lumley also excels as the gold-digger who has her eye on Reggie's wallet.

However this drama belongs equally to Finney and Courtenay. The final scene with these two grand old men of film and theatre dancing to Glenn Miller's 'Moonlight Serenade' will surely prove to be one of the most lasting and endearing moments in British television.