Mandy

I'm really a movie fan. Watch as much movies as I can. Though I'm never really interested in movies from the 50's. But this movie turned that all around. "Mandy" is a great movie that is a must see! Mandy Miller has a stunning role and plays it really great! The whole story line in this movie is unique, still to this day. It's a movie like I've not seen before. Especially because the movie is from way back, it's great to see that there were already great minds behind this movie. And I can't say it enough, the role that Mandy Miller plays is stunning!

If you have the opportunity to watch this movie, watch it! I give it a big 10 out of 10.

The Mandy of the title truly is the star of the film, as almost all of the adults underplay their scenes with her to help her shine brighter.

When Mandy's parents find out she is deaf, they have differing ideas on what to do next. Mother, Christine, wants to send Mandy to a special school for deaf children so she can learn to read and write - and perhaps speak - and be as much like other children as possible. But her father, Harry, is somewhat ashamed of his daughter and would rather keep Mandy hidden away at his parents' house with only a governess to teach her the finger alphabet. After seeing how she reacts with other children, Christine realises that for Mandy's sake she must get her to the school, and leaves Harry. Watching Mandy's progress in the school provides some fascinating insight into ways of teaching and, contrary to Harry's thoughts, she does progress, with help from headmaster Searle. A second storyline is developed here as people increasingly believe that Christine is having an affair with Searle, when in fact they are both only interested in the good of the child.

A real "four tissue" movie, 10/10.

Remarkably this is only the eleventh review ever posted on the IMDb of this pioneering work on the subject of child psychology, representing both the apex of the Ealing drama and the directorial career of Alexander MacKendrick; which also continues writer Nigel Balchin's exploration of the role of the outsider aided by pellucid photography by Douglas Slocombe.

Once seen Mandy Miller (who you actually got to hear speak in 'The Man in the White Suit') is never forgotten; although the real tensions plainly reside in the tensions between the adults, which is probably in line with Ealing's equivocal view of the role of officialdom in general.

When they realise that their daughter "Mandy" (Mandy Miller) isn't so responsive to sound, they take her to a physician who tells them that she is profoundly deaf, and will most likely never be able to learn to speak either. Parents "Christine" (Phyllis Calvert) and "Harry" (Terence Morgan) are determined to keep her with their family, so move into his parents large home in a still largely bombed out area of London. Her early years pose less of a problem for her caring family, but as she gets older and begins to become frustrated with her inability to react to the outside world and her playful contemporaries, they decide that perhaps some form of more formal education is required. They've heard good things of the slightly maverick "Searle" (Jack Hawkins) who is trying to use sonics to introduce the concepts of sounds to other children, and so they take her there. Never having been away from her parents though, she struggles to adapt - and that puts quite a strain on a marriage that is divided as to how best to proceed. This is one of those films that tugs at the heart strings. It's not sentimental, nor is it melodramatic - it just illustrates how an ordinary family struggles to deal with the stress of having a child who has to live her life differently amidst a society that is unaware of her disability. Sometimes that puts her at greater risk, or requires a greater patience from those around her. That very relentlessness is captured well here by both Calvert and Morgan, and there's also a sub-plot between Hawkins and his trustees (Edward Chapman) that demonstrates a clinical reluctance to challenge existing thinking and experiment with new methods. There is also a look taken at just how difficult is is for adults to maintain relationships when constantly frazzled, and at just how toxic gossiping tongues can be when nerves are frayed. Hats also have to come off to the young Miller, who delivers personably here and who elicits sympathy, yes, but also a degree of appreciation of her character's own courage as she strives to conform without having the faintest idea what it is that she is "missing". Thoughtful and at times provocative and it still has relevance seventy years later.

I remember seeing this film, as a child, and have recently seen it again. Everything about it is memorable and it's an excellent example of British film making at its best. Given the sensitive subject matter, it could easily have turned out to be sentimental tosh. In reality, it is exactly the opposite, thanks in no short measure to a quality cast of first class actors. Jack Hawkins, Phyllis Calvert and Terence Morgan are first class, though the jewel in the film's crown is young Mandy Miller in the title role. Her portrayal is very moving and quite remarkable. Whilst so many of the scenes bring a lump to the throat, this superb film is an uplifting and positive experience. Not to be missed.