A Kind of Loving (John Schlesinger)

[pro-bassoonist]

A Kind of Loving Blu-ray REVIEW



An outstanding restoration

Pro-B

[Olmo]

Thanks for the review, however I have to completely disagree with your take on the film.

Your description of Vic; 'a working-class draftsman whose life is one big repetitive cycle of seriously dull and disappointing events. Each day Vic walks to the nearby factory and spends long hours staring at projects that he forgets as soon as he clocks out', bears no relation to what is portrayed on film.

Schlesinger's film actually avoids the tropes & clichés of blue-collared disenchantment (one of the reasons why I think the film hasn't dated as badly as most other kitchen-sink dramas of the time). Bates' Vic actually explicitly announces he likes his job in conversation with his Father, and takes up an opportunity on a project offered to him even though it means working overtime.

Also his disillusionment with his local football team you describe isn't shown in the film at all, he is shown at the match with James Bolam's Jeff without a word of disgruntlement and later a conversation with the window-cleaner expressing a desire to attend the Cup match that afternoon.

Your assertion in which the main source of drama is gleaned from the generational gap between parents & children is also a point of contention for me. the conflict between Ingrid's Mother and Vic seems to stem from arguments on class & snobbery. Vic taking exception to the way she speaks to the window-cleaner and her complaints on 'the miners earning thirty or forty quid a week whereas retired Colonels have to take jobs as car-park attendants'. The know your place attitude of Hird's character pushing Vic over the edge.

I think your description of June Ritchie's Ingrid as a 'flirty blonde' is reductive and overlooks the complexities of the role, I feel it's a far more nuanced performance than that. She is possibly more conflicted with the unwanted pregnancy than Vic. If I were to describe her it would be her timidity, shyness and naivety that are more apparent.

Appreciate the review, interesting how we all see films so differently.

[pro-bassoonist]

Thank you for your comments.

We definitely disagree on a number of key points. I can understand why because some things are only implied, but they are quite clear to me. A couple of examples below:

1. The job. There is a pretty big difference between what Vic announces and what his actions reveal. After the fight he does accept the offer for extra work, but you can see how he uses the entire situation to actually come out on top (after his opponent announces that he'd rather quit). It is very much a measured move. Also, I don't think that he is sincere with his father.

2. Generational gap. We definitely disagree. It is not only the behavior of Ingrid's mother that is used to highlight the huge gap. See the scene at the end where Vic goes to his father for advice. His words basically suggest that he should force Ingrid to accept his terms, which also suggests support for the old way of his generation -- a man must do whatever it takes to always come out stronger.

3. The two protagonists. They are both naive but not as innocent as you seem to suggest. With Vic this is made quite clear. A lot of Ingrid's actions early on are also very well calculated. (The date scene where she brings her friend is an obvious attempt to show that she won't be a follower in the new relationship, though it is a pretty silly one).

And so on.

I like this film. I think that Schlesinger's best work comes from this early period. I am not particularly fond of his late films. The new restoration from Canal is fantastic, though they could have encoded this disc even better.

Thank you for your comments again.