On n'y joue qu'à deux

"Only Two Can Play" is a slice of life comedy made in 1962. Based on a novel by Kingsley Amis, it concerns an assistant librarian, John Lewis (Peter Sellars) who has a chance at a better position and a raise, contingent upon him sleeping with the council chairman's wife (Mai Zetterling). He has a beautiful if exhausted wife at home (Virginia Maskell) and children, and the confines of his home are a little tight and chaotic. Lewis attempts to make a go of the affair, with humor and poignancy as the result.

This is a very well acted film, and a very satisfying one. Sellars wasn't a huge star yet, but all the elements are there. Mai Zetterling, primarily remembered today as a director, was a marvelous actress and very sexy. In her book, "All Those Tomorrows" she describes her experiences living with Tyrone Power and being madly in love with him for several years. That was some life she had. This was the last film Virginia Maskell would make for a time - she married after this movie and did very little until 1967. Sellars tried to get her replaced in the film, but the director refused. It seems odd, because she was very good. After the birth of a child in 1967, she became acutely depressed and ultimately overdosed on antidepressants. A sad end for a fine actress. The rest of the cast is excellent as well.

A very good film, well worth seeing.

Understated comedic drama stars the sardonic Sellers as a Welsh librarian, bored by the blandness of his job and domestic labours, who develops a pathological weakness for women to fill the void, shamelessly flirting with customers, neighbours teetering on the brink of adultery at virtually every turn. He meets married well-to-do Liz (Zetterling) and the two become embroiled in a relationship that threatens to escalate into infidelity, though neither seem capable of consummating the sexual innuendo that's beckoning a heated interlude.

Virginia Maskell is first-rate as Sellers' stay-at-home wife, chained to the kitchen sink of life with two ankle-biters for whom to care while her husband attends literary parties and engages in dalliances at her expense. Maskell is clearly a cut above the hijinks, though Sellers is equally adept with this type of dry comedy and the two trade some very witty and at times poignant dialogue. It's a shame that Maskell couldn't capitalise on her talent, as she would have been destined for great performances, had she lived longer.

Kenneth Griffith plays Sellers' henpecked friend, while Graham Stark has a small role as an unwelcome library patron whose choice of book and subsequent indulgence ("yes I can see you enjoyed it") places Sellers under a great test of sufferance. That's future "Q" Desmond Llewellyn as a vicar aboard Sellers' daily bus route.

Astute dialogue, both sharp in its observations, and otherwise very witty ("how about the complete history of codpieces"), some sombre and pointed, "Only Two Can Play" is a measured study of unrealised ambition and the weight of everyday domestic pressures. Probably not for the casual Sellers' fan club, but should certainly keep others entertained, whether you're after dry humour or bittersweet drama.

"Only Two Can Play" is a sophisticated comedy and drama set in the fictional town of Aberdarcy, Wales. Peter Sellers is a librarian who's going through a mid-life crisis. In the mid-20th century, it was variously known as the seven-year itch. These and other such terms (marital wanderlust coming closest with its "lust" ending) described a phase some married men went through when they began to have thoughts about women other than their wives.

Sellers' John Lewis is married and has two children. The affection he shows his kids, and the relationship he has with his wife, Jean, portrays him as a decent chap who loves his wife and kids. There's just that temptation he gets frequently when he looks at very attractive women.

Virginia Maskell is very good as Jean Lewis, and judging from their discussions, John's problem is something she's aware of. This is a rather candid look, with comedy, at this sort of travail that befalls a number of men and marriages after a few years. It's something any number of couples must have faced as the 20th century moved past the middle and divorce rates climbed significantly.

The comedy here is mostly in some very funny dialog that involves Lewis, his wife, and some others. But there are also a couple of hilarious scenes in which Lewis is waylaid in his amorous pursuits of another particular woman. Mai Zetterling plays the part of Liz very well. She is the wife of a wealthy member of the landed gentry, Vernon Griffith-Williams. Some other actors have delightful parts that contribute to the humor. John Le Mesurier as Salter and Richard Attenborough as Gareth Probert have some very funny roles. Maudie Edwards is a hoot as Mrs. Edna Davies, the Lewis's landlady.

Don't look for Sellers in an Inspector Clouseau role here (from the Pink Panther series). This is one of his more astute comedy roles. He is at his best in such a role as a subtle, knowing and sharp John Lewis who just can't seem to keep from muffing things. But, he's on his toes otherwise and able to spar verbally with foe and friend alike.

Here are some favorite lines from the film. For more humorous dialog, see the Quotes section under this IMDb Web page of the movie. And, oh yes, the name of the play that Probert wrote and is directing at the Aberdarcy community playhouse, is "Bowen Thomas, Tailor of Llandilo."

John Lewis, showing a book to a library patron, "It's got quite a history, this one. It was only taken off the banned list in 1959. Since then, of course, it hasn't been asked for."

Mr. Hyman, returning a book to the library, "You got any more books like that?" John Lewis, "Well, not exactly like that, My Hyman, no. Not quite so many egg stains."

John Lewis, "You know what they say, don't you? A page a day keeps the analyst away."

John Lewis, "There's no doubt about it. I'd be much better off as a road sweeper."

Gareth Probert, "How are you, Lewis? Still peddling trash to the masses?" John Lewis, "Yes, that's right, yes. How about you -- still writing it?"

John Lewis, "Well, as dramatic critic of the Aberdarcy Chronicle at 10 bob a time, I suppose I should agree with you, sir. However, in my own opinion, I think he's a puffed up, under-sized, four-eyed little twit. Excuse me, won't you?" Vernon Gruffydds-Williams, "Fascinating."

John Lewis, to Gareth Probert, "I was plowing through your novel again the other day."

Mrs. Gruffydds-Williams (Liz), "You wouldn't like to go with some of us for a drink tonight, would you?" John Lewis, "Well, uh, that's very kind of you but, uh, unfortunately it's the children. You see, it's illegal to leave them unattended after dark."

John Lewis, "Um, how will I find you again?" Mrs. Gruffydds-Williams (Liz), slipping off her shoes, "I'll leave a trail."

John Lewis, "They should have used you in the tank corps." Mrs. Gruffydds-Williams (Liz), "They did."

Mrs. Edna Davies, "In for the night, are you Mr. Lewis?" John Lewis, "If I was going out for the night, I'd be pointing the other way, Mrs. Davies."

Gareth Probert, "Boy, tied to a man like this must be unspeakable hell." Jean Lewis, "No, I wouldn't say unspeakable."

John Lewis, "If I might be allowed to sum up a gem of exquisite Welsh prose, 'Push off while you are still in one piece.'"

Mrs. Edna Davies, "Oh, going out are you, Mr. Lewis?" John Lewis, "Oh, very observant of you, Mrs. Davies." Mrs. Davies, "Leaving the children alone, I suppose?" Lewis, "Yes. I put the oil stove close to the cot and I turned the wick on." Mrs. Davies, "You are not fit to have charge of children the way you carry on, Mr. Lewis." Lewis, "Well, I must get on with my boozin' now, Mrs. Davies. I have enjoyed our little chat."

Peter Sellers was always at his best in this type of local comedy. His randy Welsh librarian, frustrated with his dead-end job, has a part-time job as a reporter on the local newspaper, doing reviews of the local repertory theatre. We see his dreary home life; his long-suffering wife - a lovely performance from Virginia Maskell; his interchanges with his hypochondriac neighbour - Kenneth Griffiths. Enter the glamorous Mai Zetterling, wife of the local big-wig (Raymond Huntley)and Seller's life is catapulted into confusions. A chance of promotion - in exchange for sexual favours with Mai - catapults him into a sequence of very funny situations. One, a confrontation with an avant-garde poet/playwright - a beautiful cameo role by Richard Attenborough - is hilarious and the whole film progresses at a very satisfying pace, never descending in to farce. It would be nice to have it available in DVD format. It is a much better example of some of Seller's work, such as the farcical Pink Panther froth.

I was not surprised to see that this movie was based on the black humour of Kingsley Amis. Do not expect from Sellers the slapstick farce of the Pink Panther days or the sparkling multiple personalities of the "Mouse that Roared" or the radio Goon shows. Instead, here is a believable person whose comedy arises from his all-too-human reaction to the situation in which he finds himself.

The "usual suspects" put up fine character performances, there are funny moments enough. If the movie is not quite the comic equal of "I'm All Right Jack", or other Sellers movies of the early 60s, perhaps it is because the comedy and its resolution are a little too conventional to show Sellers at his best. It is still worth watching to see Sellers at his best as a serious actor.

As another comment mentioned, the black-&-white filming is also just right for the subject.