Review of The Pumpkin Eater (1964) by Kyle B — 06 Mar 2014
Jack Clayton ("Room at the Top," "The Innocents") directed this Harold Pinter script, crafting a somber portrait of a sham household. Jo (thirty-something Anne Bancroft, playing a jaded, older woman just as she did in "The Graduate") is stuck in her third loveless marriage, trying to fill the void with an abundance of children (presumably, the film's title is a reference to a pregnant woman's shape).
Her current husband (Peter Finch) is a famous screenwriter whose work compels him to spend ample time away from home. She stays behind to weather the chaos of six energetic kids, but is prone to dark moods.
Admirably, the story avoids cheap sentimentality and offers no easy solutions. The young Maggie Smith has a brief role as a sexy house guest.
This review of The Pumpkin Eater (1964) was written by Kyle B on 06 Mar 2014.
The Pumpkin Eater has generally received positive reviews.
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