Review of Look Back in Anger (1959) by Stuart K — 07 Jun 2010

The directorial debut of Tony Richardson, who had got his start in the theatre and with the English Stage Company. For his first film, he adapted the controversial 1956 stage play by John Osborne, which Richardson had directed on the stage.

It's a very real look at a very real situation many people faced then, it's a good drama, even if the main character in it is a total arsehole. Set in Derby, it has Jimmy Porter (Richard Burton), a market stall owner and aspiring trumpet player who wants to make a better life for him and his wife Alison (Mary Ure).

But, all is not happy in paradise, with Jimmy's temper getting the better of him and neighbour Cliff (Gary Raymond), who tries to keep the peace. Alison is pregnant, and can't bring herself to tell Jimmy.

After one bust up too many she goes to her parents, and her friend Helena Charles (Clare Bloom) begins an affair with Jimmy, but will that last?? Shot in film-noir style by Oswald Morris, this is a bleak look at what Britain was like in the 1950's, people aspiring better things for themselves but they'd never get it because of their position in working class, especially up north.

This put Richardson on the map as a director, and gave Burton one of his best roles.