VHS : A Rather English Marriage [1998]

Rating: - Beautiful, sensitive drama
When ex-RAF fighter pilot Reginald Conyngham-Jarvis (Albert Finney) and former milkman Roy Southgate (Tom Courtenay) both become widowers within minutes of each other, an unlikely bond between them begins to form. Both men are from the opposite side of the social spectrum, Reginald, verbose, and self confessed womaniser, nevertheless less fond of his late wife, no idea of domesticity,and Roy the dedicated husband, never looked at another woman, more outwardly gentle and caring, both begin to share the same house, the formation of an "odd couple" type of scenario.

The theme behind the relationships of this touching, superbly acted drama, based on Angela Lambert's novel, is both characters providing to the other what each person badly needs. As the story unfolds, both men have more in common than either thought, as they both harbour dark secrets of guilt over a lost child. Joanna Lumley is convincing as a local botique owner who sees Reginald, and the money she thinks he has, as a way of escaping from her own debt pressures.

At times humourous, other times sensitive and thought provoking, this wonderful drama is a tribute to the fine acting skills of the main performers, with excellent use of the haunting background music. A modern classic.

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Rating: - Top class entertainment, a joy to watch repeatedly
I have seen this TV movie a number of times and always find it fresh and totally entertaining. This is script writing at its very best and the three main actors, Finney, Courtenay and Lumley give outstanding performances. Finney and Courtenay are wonderful as an 'odd' couple who choose to give living together 'a go'. Finney is remarkable as a retired Squadron Leader who finds himself having to fend for himself, following the death of his wife. His playing skilfully avoids caricature and displays great humour and poignancy. Courtenay, also on his own (and having a son in prison) and hiding a skeleton in the cupboard, agrees to get together with Finney to share house. To his dismay, Courtenay soon finds that Finney has no intention of sharing the chores and when Ms Lumley appears on the scene thinking she has landed a wealthy catch in the ex-RAF wartime pilot, things take a turn for the worse when Finney has a heart attack. Courtenay and Lumley are fine players and treat the, at times, delicate dialogue with great sensitivity. The ending could so easily have fallen flat, but as it is one is left hoping for a sequel, to follow up the lives of this unlikely couple.

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Rating: - Magnificent film- Courtenay and Finney are excellant
On sitting down to this film, I was rather tired but that soon changed. Within Minutes i was glued to the screen. Why? Well the acting is superb, especially from Tom Courtenay. He rightly won the Bafta for best actor. The script also was both very funny and poignant. In fact I found the film version far better than the novel, which seemed to plod along at times. Overall the best film I have seen in a long time.