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Glenda Jackson, Peter Finch, Murray Head, Peggy Ashcroft, Maurice Denham ... see more see more... , Vivian Pickles , Thomas Baptiste , George Belbin , Caroline Blakiston , Tony Britton , June Brown , Marie Burke , Ellis Dale , Daniel Day-Lewis , Gabrielle Daye , Edward Evans , Jon Finch , Ann Firbank , Harold Goldblatt , Peter Halliday , Douglas Lambert , Bessie Love , Hannah Norbert , Richard Pearson , John Rae , Robert Rietty , Frank Windsor , Russell Lewis , Richard Loncraine , Royce Mills , Joe Wadham , Cindy Burrows , Emma Schlesinger , Kimi Tallmadge , Patrick Thornberry

This British film examines the choices individuals must make when confronted with a romantic relationship which is rewarding but does not offer them everything they want. In this sympathetic and psych... read more read more...ologically precise drama, Alexandra Greville (Glenda Jackson), "Alex" to her friends, has a younger man as her sometime lover, the young sculptor Bob Elkin (Murray Head). Elkin is completely open about the fact that he is also the lover of her acquaintance, Dr. Daniel Hirsch (Peter Finch). These relationships continue in some kind of equilibrium until Alex and Bob agree to house-sit the children of a couple known to the three of them. In their roles, neither Head nor Finch "swished," or otherwise catered to homosexual stereotypes, and theirs was considered to be a groundbreaking, sympathetic portrayal of this kind of relationship, not condescending in any way. One highlight of the film is a scene in which Dr. Hirsch attends the Bar Mitzvah of his nephew. This critically well-received movie was unexpectedly successful at the box office. The film's director and screenwriter, as well as Jackson and Finch, were nominated for Academy Awards. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Flixster Users

71% liked it

2,320 ratings

Critics

91% liked it

11 critics

R, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: John Schlesinger

Release Date: September 8, 1971

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DVD Release Date: September 16, 2003

Stats: 97 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (97)

  • flixsterman
    May 19, 2012
    flixsterman
    Exquisite storytelling. Socially progressive and, for 1971, quite courageous.
  • Dannyrovira
    June 30, 2010
    Dannyrovira
    A intelligent and graceful adult drama with two powerhouse performances by Peter Finch and Glenda Jackson. About the absence of love, that involves a bisexual triangle between a gay Jewish doctor and a loney middleaged woman who are both having a affair and are in love with the s... read moreame shallow young boyish sculptor, played by Murray Head in good performance, his youth and good looks attract both Finch and Jackson. Brilliantly directed by John Schlesinger with a superb script by Penelope Gilliatt. I cannot praise the performances of Finch and Jackson enough, Peter Finch delivers a magnificent Oscar nominated performance as man drowning in respectability, who cannot come out of the closet because of his Jewish congregation who would never understand, and Glenda Jackson is amazing and shows deep inner turmoil, as she is experiencing the stress of sharing her lover with another man. They both fear and know that this twisted triangle is about to collapse, for the young sculptor wants to leave to New York City. Made in 1971 this remarkable film was years ahead of it's time in dealing with the subject of sexuality and adult relationships. Highly Recommended.
  • placeinthesun455
    January 4, 2012
    placeinthesun455
    really bland film. decent acting, but the entire love triangle is stiflingly dull. some could argue that Finch and Jackson's characters are tragic, in that they're using the same lover to escape bigger problems in their lives, but instead end up just as lonely and desperate as t... read morehey were to begin with. I, however, see really pedestrian characters with no distinguishing or likable traits wound up in a passive and passionless "love affair". you don't pity these people, you just end up searching the film for more interesting ones. about the only thing this movie has going for it is that it showed (in detail) a homosexual relationship in a time when such things weren't shown on conventional movie screens. but Finch/Head is just as boring as Jackson/Head, so who really cares?
  • bloodrootgraveyarddi
    July 14, 2007
    bloodrootgraveyarddi
    Excellent performances and wonderful psychological character studies. One of Glenda Jackson's best performances, as well as Finch and Head (who was also working in Jesus Christ, Superstar at the time of this filming). This wasn't so much about GAY as it was about psychological ma... read morekeups and why people make the choices they make. For the early 70s, it was too much for most folks.

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Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
February 9, 2007
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Years after being made, this emotionally mature drama is still poignant and touching. It holds an important place in film history offering what's the first positive image of a gay lead character--that... Full Review

Cole Smithey
December 5, 2005
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

A bold film filled with powerful performances.

David Nusair
November 16, 2003
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...the film's '70s excess prevents it from ever becoming anything more than a time-capsule curiosity. Full Review

Ken Hanke
February 12, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Groundbreaking character study very much of its time, but still worthwhile.

Dennis Schwartz
August 21, 2002
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

The film's more liberal sexual attitude was ahead of its time. Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

John A. Nesbit
January 12, 2008
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews

No review available.

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    • Dr. Daniel Hirsh: When you're at school and you want to quit, people say 'You're going to hate it out in the world.' Well, I didn't believe them and I was right. When I was a kid, I couldn't wait to be grown up, and they said 'Childhood is the best time of your life.' Well, it wasn't. And now, I want his company and they say, 'What's half a loaf? You're well shot of him'; and I say 'I know that... but I miss him, that's all' and they say 'He never made you happy' and I say 'But I am happy, apart from missing him. You might throw me a pill or two for my cough.' All my life, I've been looking for somebody courageous, resourceful. He's not it... but something. We were something. I only came about my cough.
    • Dr. Daniel Hirsh: I always expect Saturday to be the best day of the week.
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Sunday, Bloody Sunday Trivia

  • What word is missing: ------ Mary ------ Sunday My ------ Valentine  Answer »
  • Which celebrated British 70s film features a love triangle between an employment counsellor, a homosexual doctor and a young sculptor?   Answer »
  • ****Which Celebrated British Film Features A Love Triangle Between An Employment Counsellor, A Homosexual Doctor And A Young Sculptor****  Answer »
  • The tagline "It's about three gentle people. They will break your heart." belongs to this film:  Answer »
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