The History of Mr. Polly

John Mills prefers to read and dream rather than learn the haberdasher's trade, so he's fired. His father up and dies, and leaves him a nice sum of money. He enjoys bicycling around, saying he is "looking for a busienss to invest in", but marriage with his cousin, Betty Ann Davies, forces him to be a shop. It soon turns into a dull routine and marginal business. He burns it down for the insurance, then takes off. Soon he has settled down at a waterside inn run by Meg Jenks, punting the ferry and doing odd jobs.

Anthony Pelissier did not have a tremendously productive career as a writer-director, but he turned out fine screen transitions of literary works. In his first movie, he tackles H. G. Wells novel about a man who just wants to get by and not meddle in affairs that are none of his business.... and as it turns out, he does meddle and demonstrates that, as ridiculous as he appears fighting off Miss Jenks' drunk and vindictive uncle Finlay Currie, time and chance are on his side. What we are to make of this, except that people are ridiculous, I don't really know. But it does demonstrate that. With Diana Churchill, Sally Ann Howe, Juliet Mills, Moore Marriott, and Irene Handl.

I have loved this film ever since I first saw it at approximately at the age of 6, 7 years on it's still one of my favourites. It's a heart warming tale that the whole family will love. Having never read the book I can't really compare but even so if the film's this good then I'm sure the book will be as good, if not better! I do not understand why the overall rating for this film is an average of 6.6. The people who vote obviously have no taste as this film is a masterpiece of acting. John Mills I credit as one of the best actors to have lived and one year after his death I don't think enough credit has been given to this man and his acting skills.

I was underwhelmed by the tale of a simple and weak character, Alfred Polly, played by the stalwart of the British cinema, John Mills, who has had enough of being henpecked, so leaves her and his shop to seek fresh pastures. It has several amusing scenes where Mills encounters the drunken, oafish Uncle Jim, played by the wonderful Finlay Curry, but overall the film is disappointing, for it seems to drift aimlessly from one scene to another without a clear and cohesive thread. I loved the music which gives the film a carefree and whimsical dimension but the real problem with the film is it's central character. It's very difficult to sustain interest in Mr Polly, a meek and mild character, who's simply wishing to see a quiet life.

"The History of Mr. Polly" is an odd British film. On one hand, it has some well respected and excellent British actors (notably, Sir John Mills). But, on the other, it has a story that really doesn't make a ton of sense and which creates a portrait of a guy who is often less than likable or honorable. I found the overall experience quite underwhelming.

When the story begins, Mr. Polly (Mills) is getting fired from a job because he's lazy. Soon, however, he is extricated from this predicament when he learns his father has died....and has left him a small inheritance. Polly then goes shopping for a wife, as he plans on getting married and opening a small shop. He marries a cousin and the film jumps ahead 15 years. Now, they are both pretty miserable and Polly comes up with a plan....run away. He soon finds a job and settles in to a new life...though a drunk bully promises to make this a very short life!

The hero in the film, Polly, is in so many ways an anti-hero. He's lazy, he's run away from his marriage and he's not much of a person. Yet, out of the blue, this all changes near the end...or at least changes enough that you don't quite know what to make of the guy. Overall, a mildly interesting film but far from Mills' best.

Ever found yourself caught up in a daydream when you should be doing something more important? But just can't help it and prefer to live there than in reality?

Ever wondered what your place in the world is and tried so hard to fit in and follow convention? even though deep down you're not really sure if a conventional life is the one you'd really Belong in?

If you Can relate to these sentiments this is the film for you. You will instantly recognise yourself in Mr Polly. Otherwise I concede you will not understand the appeal of this film. Mr Polly is not meant to be a hero he is just a man who finally finds the courage to follow the beat of his own drum. He starts the film a work shy oddball, one of life's failures who has fallen into a domestic situation with his cousin and contemplates Suicide. But he can't even do this right. Realising that at nearly 40 that if you don't like Your life you can change it instead of ending it, he sets off into the countryside and finds his place in the world.

It's an unusual topic for a film and therefore as time has marched on It's peculiarity has helped to turn it into a minor gem.

John Mills plays the part of Mr Polly wonderfully. This is also the first film he produced and shows he was keen to flex his acting abilities. Apparently the audiences at the time didn't like him playing a middle-aged odd ball, but Modern audiences will be free to see his characterisation without the preconceptions of John Mills being the definitive military hero. The rest of the cast are good too, even Juliet does a good turn as Uncle Jim's Niece.

The musical score is very good and really adds to the comedy/action scenes of the fight with Uncle Jim and the Suicide Attempt. Sometimes the films scores In old films can be a bit too much for my liking, but not in this case.