robertconnor

As the 1960s become the 1970s in London, England, a successful male doctor and divorced, female recruitment consultant both try to maintain a relationship with a self-centred younger man.

Fascinating period piece, exploring the reality of the late sixties 'free love' ideal - she loves Bob, he love Bob, Bob loves... well, nothing substantial, as it turns out. Mixing in ghastly 'of their time' friends (ex-hippie-types Alva and Bill and their dreadful kids), Sunday, Bloody Sunday is at once both dated and contemporary - set in a time of economic chaos and dealing with a taboo which, in 2009, still seems at least unsettling. Jackson and Finch are brilliant, apologetically yet furiously settling for all the crumbs they can get from their cool younger lover, although under Schlesinger's direction, Head is much less successful - whilst he captures Bob's egotistical nature, there's no counter-balance of charm, leaving the viewer wondering exactly what is either Alex or Daniel really see in him.

Ground-breaking story-telling then, and all kudos to Gilliatt, Sherwin, Janni, Schlesinger and Peter Finch for bringing this grown-up picture of early 70s contemporary life to the screen.

Percy Brand is a congenital con' man who, despite his best efforts, can't quite manage to keep out of jail for very long. However he is able to keep his son in blissful ignorance, pretending that for each 'stretch' inside he has really been working 'overseas'. In cahoots with his sister Florence he keeps this subterfuge up for years until one day he discovers his son has begun work as an assistant to the very judge who has repeatedly sent him down!

Nice, sophisticated and fizzily paced little comedy with Redgrave obviously enjoying himself as the genial jailbird, finally deciding to go straight only to be lured back for one last con' (involving French sailors, sharks and illicit brandy), Hickson in typically hilarious form as his accomplice in duplicity, and Morley and Jeffries doing what they do best. Hunt it down if you can.