MovieChat Forums > The Pumpkin Eater (1964) Discussion > Depressing film with great performances.

Depressing film with great performances.

posted 15 years ago by bradjanet
8 replies | jump to latest

This rather nasty film is one of the most depressing I have seen,. It also has wonderful black and white photography and magnificent acting. James Mason and Maggie Smith are excellent as usual ... Peter Finch is always so believable and Ann Bancroft gives one of those performances, like Ellen Burstyn's in "Requiem for a Dream" that are just shattering.

The performance that I found unforgettable, however, is that of British actress/comedienne Yootha Joyce ...she only has a small part and appears only in one scene .. in it, she convinces you that five minutes spent with her talking at you could drive you stark, staring insane.

All in all, an unusual, brilliantly acted, acutely depressing film that I admire, but would run a mile to avoid seeing again.

But you ARE Blanche ... and I AM.

[–] Pleasant_Pineapple 15 years ago

I agree with everything, and I'm glad you mentioned Yootha Joyce's brief but indelible performance in that nightmarish scene at the hair salon. Bancroft was outstanding in this - I can't believe both she and Kim Stanley (in Séance on a Wet Afternoon) lost to Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins) at the Oscars that year. Then again, the Academy hardly ever seems to award films as disturbing and honest as this one.

[–] JulianneM_TildaS_VanessaR 15 years ago

Bancroft didn't have a chance! Because she'd won 2 years prior for "The Miracle Worker" in 1962. But I don't doubt she was fantastic in it - she did win Cannes Best Actress, which I believe is an equally prestigious award if not, in some regards, a higher honour.

So congrats to Charlotte Gainsbourg for winning this year in 09.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] Eric-1226 12 years ago

All in all, an unusual, brilliantly acted, acutely depressing film that I admire, but would run a mile to avoid seeing again.

Well put.

I would also note that the scenes with Yootha Joyce and James Mason were so unusual and "out there," they seemed almost surreal.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] Astrid2266 12 years ago

Agree with OP. I found it incredibly depressing. Interesting to watch because of the actors and their performances but I would never want to sit through it again. Maybe that's why it's underrated. It probably didn't draw much attention because it's a downer and went unnoticed? I certainly never heard of it before and just saved it on my dvr to watch because of who was in it.

[–] Jamal-Nazreddin 11 years ago

I know Pinter structured Mortimer's story. BUT the two central characters are so covert and mismatched. We have so little back-story. Is the wife an American? a trophy wife?

[–] sirjeremy 11 years ago

I didn't find it depressing but I agree the performances were top-notch, especially James Mason (who should have been Oscar nominated for this) as the unctuous Bob. And speaking as someone who only knew Yootha Joyce from George and Mildred, I was blown away by her chilling and mesmerising cameo here. Maggie Smith was predictably excellent in her two scenes and expressed alot about her character, more than what she was given.