Pour le meilleur et pour le pire

If you've ever seen Barefoot in the Park you'll recognise the similarities and rejoice at how much better it is.

'Temporary' civil servant (Bogarde) and his nubile young fiancée (Stephen) move into a small bedsit ahead of their planned nuptials, but soon find that their neighbours and lack of space turn domesticity into havoc. When the rent and cost of living result in their furniture being scheduled for repossession, they stage a clumsy attempt to avoid the repo men, seeking sanctuary in the neighbouring apartment of Dennis Price and wife Pia Terri (who are also facing the ignominy of eviction) but due to a happy coincidence, mummy and daddy (Herlie and Parker) come to the rescue proving that independence comes at a cost.

Bogarde and Stephen deliver their dialogue with comedic precision, while Athene Seyler as the nuisance yet lonely old neighbour is a highlight among the talented supporting cast. James Hayter is amusing as the stubborn plumber summoned to unblock a troublesome sink-trap before they give their house warming dinner party, the lead-up to which is great comic farce. Fans of these types of B-movie English comedies will also rejoice at the appearance late in the film of Sid James' sarcastic and overly-enthusiastic repo man.

The script is witty and the storyline is well paced and economical, displaying keen observations of the challenges that young people often face as they embark on co-habitation and independence for the first time. Timeless, entertaining comedy, an early effort from noted British director J.Lee Thompson who went on to direct "The Guns of Navarone" and "Cape Fear" in a long and distinguished career.

In the 50s British films tried to combat the growing influence of TV.One of the first sitcoms was on BBC and was called "The Grove Family" about what would then be called a working class family.This is an upmarket version of that set in Kensington in colour.However it all falls very flat as a comedy.Firstly there is a major problem with Susan Stephen ,as she is simply not very good.It is difficult to understand the couples circumstances,where Bogarde doesn't earn enough money,Stephen sits home all day and they employ Thora Hird as a daily woman.There are all sorts of well known faces coming and going through this film but alas they do not enliven what is a very forced farce.Bogarde would of course have a very successful career ahead of him whilst Stephen would soon slip into obscurity.

A British comedy far ahead of its time. A unique view of the hardships faced by young newlyweds in postwar London. This film marked the defining roles for several actors/actresses. A solid performance by Dirk Bogarde, possibly overshadowed by the debut of Pia Terri.

Dirk Bogarde is a cold romantic in ' romantic ' roles, and he is in my opinion the major flaw in this sometimes very witty film. There seems to be little chemistry between him and the underrated Susan Stephen, and he delivers his lines professionally but without much feeling. Based on a play this is about a young couple getting married and having to cope with the relative poverty of the Post War years. Renting a room is almost out of their reach, and they are lucky enough to get a smallish room without what is discreetly called amenities. As the film progresses the room gets improbably larger but the point is made; the youth of the early Fifties had a hard time finding both jobs and accommodation. Viewed in 2022 it is quite relevant to many and could be enjoyed for the comedy turmoil they are in. This is basically the story, but it is the supporting actors who really make it work. Athene Seyler is fun as a too demanding neighbour, and so is Dennis Price as another resident. But it is Cecil Parker as Susan Stephen's father and the great Eileen Herlie who steal the film from the rest, and sadly Herlie was seen more on the stage than the screen. To be watched for its relevant fun, its often very astute dialogue and brilliant supporting actors to take our eyes off the dry and rather diffident Dirk Bogarde.