Review of Entertaining Mr. Sloane (1970) by Jonathan B — 23 Apr 2012

Film adaptation of the Joe Orton play of the 1960s this doesn't quite hit the mark due to some rather stumbling direction. There's a good solid cast with Beryl Reid standing out as the utterly grotesque Kath. Her character has outrageously inappropriate costumes and a simpering manipulative delivery that is totally cringe-worthy. Harry Andrews puts in a strong performance as the slimy brother Ed and Peter McEnery's Mr. Sloane is suitably handsome and lacking in moral fibre but his patchy accent is a distraction.

The story is a warped tale of innuendo, violence and a bizarre love triangle but Orton's convoluted dialogue makes for a somewhat plodding narrative in which the farcical elements become lost, diminishing the overall enjoyment of the film.