The picturesque Gloucestershire countryside of the early 1970s is shown to good effect in this unusual love story, based on one of the works of H E Bates. Carol White, at the peak of her powers before her life tragically disintegrated, displays her talent and versatility as the titular character. Dulcima Gaskain is a member of a sparse and not very wealthy rural community, the eldest daughter of a poor farming couple who work her round the clock and show her no respect, let alone affection.
The ever-reliable John Mills is Mr Parker, a neighbouring farmer of mature years who has neglected himself and his property in the years since he became a widower. When he literally crashes into Dulcima's life one day whilst drink driving, the good-natured girl sees him back into his home safely out of concern and is appalled at the conditions in which he is living. But she is also surprised to find that he has a wad of money stashed in the lining of his hat, so senses an opportunity to make some cash for herself, something she is unable to do at home.
Parker is rather confused and disorientated by having his clothes washed, his home tidied up and his meals cooked for him by this pretty young girl, but quickly grows to appreciate it. Naturally he is also drawn to her physically, especially as she plays up to this, but Dulcima initially keeps him at bay by pretending she has a boyfriend knocking around called Albert - in fact, just a handsome male she saw in a photo in a magazine.
However, as Dulcima discovers that Parker has lots of money hidden around his house, her dreams become bigger. Although she's not prepared to outright steal from Parker, she's not above persuading him to throw as much of his cash at her as she can, through a combination of hard work and deception, so becomes his live-in housekeeper and is soon treating him to 'extra' parts of her personal service to him - as long as he's prepared to add it to the bill, of course. Parker has no idea she knows about his wealth, and also remains ignorant that 'Albert' does not really exist.
As Dulcima makes more money from him, she lavishes it on finer clothes and hairstyles for herself, but at the same time she isn't properly noting how Parker himself is paying more attention to his own appearance. Her involvement in his life has increased the widower's sense of self-worth and his miserly ways have given way to generosity not just towards her but to others.
Complicating the situation is the arrival on the scene of a neighbouring gamekeeper, a handsome young man who bears a passing resemblance to the 'Albert' from the magazine. Dulcima is naturally attracted to him and, as she becomes increasingly glamorous, so too is he attracted to her. Even so, she's happy to tell him a few fibs too while she juggles her position between the two men in her life.
Of course, the continual deceptions and the playing fast and loose with other people's emotions will mean that there will ultimately have to be a heavy price to pay. And although the film is very watchable throughout, it is the shocking climax that will make it memorable for most viewers. It is a climax that would certainly not be expected from the opening sequences which are very light and comedic in tone; rather cleverly, the whole feel of this film mirrors the main character's scheme, and what starts out as a bit of a lark gradually morphs into something altogether more serious as, rather too late, Dulcima herself realises the true effect of her actions...
Overall, a very good character piece. It doesn't quite have enough incident or intensity throughout to make it a truly great film, but even so, there's not much one could fault it with.
