MovieChat Forums > The Good Life (1975) Discussion > Anyone else think of Tom this way?

Anyone else think of Tom this way?

posted 17 years ago by shannongr
23 replies | jump to latest

First I'd like to say that I like The Good Life, especially Penelope Keith as Margo (I chose to watch this after taking to her so much in To The Manor Born). But something keeps bugging me every episode I watch (I'm working my way through the DVDs).

Tom is just a little too precious. He often acts a little silly and thinks he's awfully cute. Does anyone else feel this way?

I would like to add that I am an avid Anglophile, been to England 6 times, watch copious amounts of Brit tv, etc, so please don't think I just don't "get" it.

Your thoughts appreciated,
Kris

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] davidfaltskog 17 years ago

It is odd how Margo and Jerry almost became the lead characters in this series, Margo was,nt even seen (only heard) in the first episode! yet by the end of the first season she seemed to have stolen the show.

Tom could be a ba*tard it's true, too fixated on his own fetish of going it alone and his treatment of Barbara at times makes me want to shout at the screen, but he geniunely loved Barbara (who could,nt) and seems to tone down his excessive behaviour by the fourth and final season, even admitting defeat in the heartbreaking "Aniversary" episode only to pulled from the brink of giving up by the strength and love of Barbara.

[–] mazunderscore 17 years ago

Tom and Barbara had a MUCH better relationship that Margo and Jerry. I actually think Margo was more dominate of Jerry.
The fact is that although it was Tom's idea, Barbara loved what they were doing and she loved Tom, as he loved her. They were equals, as discussed by them in many episodes. I think it was probably the least sexist sitcom of it's time!

[–] octomancer 16 years ago

Tom and Barbara had a MUCH better relationship that Margo and Jerry

Absolutely agree. Something that struck me about The Good Life when I saw repeats as an adult (I was a kid when it was first on telly) was that the writers made it totally obvious that Tom and Barbara were still properly in love, really fancied each other and clearly had way more sex than Jerry and Margot. I can't remember specific bits, but there is more than one scene where Tom and Barbara are obviously going upstairs for a shag, something that I don't remember M & J doing ... in fact, what I remember about those two is that whenever Jerry raises an eyebrow ( quite heavy flirting for a mid-70s English sitcom :-P ) Margot looks disgusted and Jerry is out of luck.

[–] shannongr 17 years ago

I'm glad you think Tom's not so great also. He's not only selfish and inconsiderate, but he thinks he's just *so* funny! making little idiot faces and saying silly things like "Who Dat up Dere"? The worst thing is that he thinks he's the cleverest little sausage that ever walked the earth. He's so immature!

Barbara deserves better!! What a trooper. I wonder if they grew some St. John's Wort in their yard that helped her through...

[–] Jamesina_Bond_007 17 years ago

Also, I once saw an interview on TV with Richard Briers, the actor who plays Tom. He also said that he despises his character, Tom Good, for all the reasons I said in my previous post. Barbara, on the other hand, is the complete opposite,she's tolerant, charming, considerate and would do anything for her man. This probably why the two characters work so well together.

[–] mazunderscore 17 years ago

The Good life wasn't nearly as sexist when compared to a lot of television shows in the 70's! Tom asked for Barbaras approval before doing anything.
They had a healthy, equal relationship as far as I can see.
Tom didn't take anything too seriously - hence why he was silly and tried to act cute. He was trying to make life a laugh.

You can say that Barbara was "that kind of woman" - but the fact remains that she wanted to do everything the couple did, she agreed to it all; and she was an intelligent and independent woman.

You also say that Barbara was "made" to do without nice things - she wasn't MADE to do anything.
She agreed to it and even wanted to! You also forget that Tom also had to do without nice things.
They were happy.

Last film watched: Pans Labyrinth (2006) **********

[–] homeheart 17 years ago

After reading through all the comments here, I have to say that mazunderscore seems to be the only one who truly understands the mechanics of Tom and Barbara's relationship.
It's been a while since I last view the episodes, but I vaguely recall an episode where Tom is just beat down and feeling very defeated so he wants to quit trying and go back to work. Barbara, however, tells him that she's not giving up and that she knew what the sacrifices were when she agreed to the lifestyle change.
The character Tom is meant to be a little silly-just as Margo is meant to be stuffy and straight-laced. It's what makes the chemistry of their relationships work.
Personally, I love this show-so does my teenaged son. Yes, there are personality quirks within the characters that make you glad that you don't have to deal with someone like that all the time but overall, it's those personality quirks that make the show entertaining.

[–] mazunderscore 17 years ago

Thank you. :)

It's funny how people who watch only one or two episodes may get the wrong end of the stick. I know each episode fairly well as I have them on video. I can understand that it might be easy for someone to misinterpret this show. It's great to find people who understand the characters and the show for what it is, a heartwarming, funny and intelligent comedy.
I always find it funny how people can dislike a show because they dislike one of the characters; but it is this that makes the show and indeed the character GOOD!

[–] marktayloruk 11 years ago

Takes me back-Felicity Kendal was one of the main objects of my teenage sexual fantasies.And she's still a cracker today!

[–] huntonpeck-1 17 years ago

I'm watching "The Good Life" now as I type this, and I have to say that I've always thought of Tom as merely having an impish, irrepressible sense of humour and a cheerful, optimistic personality. I note that he often employed his goofy sense of humour to highlight what he saw as the absurdities of modern living. (e.g.; the striving after material possesions.)

And, while it is true that he often got caught up in his own idealism, (This is a comedy about idealism, after all) he always treated Barbara as an equal and partner in his striving for self-sufficiency. From the very first episode, it was firmly established that she had a CHOICE whether or not to go along with his scheme. Moreover, she frequently defended him against the critics of their way of life. Tom and Barbara had one of the healthiest and most loving relationships ever depicted on television.

Margo and Jerry, on the other hand, were always squabbling. Margo, especially, is shown to be constantly berating and criticising her husband, even though she lived a comfortable upper middle class lifestyle and had people working for her.

This feminist/victimist mindset which always casts the male in the role of 'oppressor' and the female in the role of 'helpless victim of male domination' fails to recognise that women have choices. (More so now than ever before.) All too often these days, women are criticised for making the conscious choice to stay home with their children or supporting their husbands in their endeavours.

Barbara is anything but a victim in "The Good Life". On the contrary, she is shown to be an intelligent, independent, willing and capable participant in the self-sufficiency way of life. She shared equally in the joys and the hardships of their mutual choice.

[–] Stella-and-Stanley 17 years ago

Richard Briers spoke his lines way TOO FAST as well - it is astonishing to listen to!! And quite annoying at times!!

[–] wrenniejen 17 years ago

I love the characters when interacting with each other but yeah Tom's character has always bugged me. Particularly in "the last posh frock" when he just doesn't get it - I know it is typical female/male interaction (I would've reacted just like Barbara!) but I think he is very annoying in that episode. the little whistle he does is a touch of genius but it would drive me mad in real life! you're right about him talking too fast I think I read in my Good Life companion book it was something he was aware of that he did and shouldn't do.

I shop therefore I am.

[–] Kay-29 16 years ago

The writers (Esmonde and Larbey) also said in the Good Life Companion book that Briers was probably the only actor going who could make the selfish Tom a likeable character, one we'd root for.

I adore the show and all the characters, even though as said previously Tom OR Margo especially would drive one mad if encountered in real life for very long :)

I agree with the posters who say that Barbara was no victim. She was perfectly capable of holding her own against Tom, and further, Tom genuinely cared about Barbara's support and happiness even if he didn't always verbalize it.

Interesting note that the Goods were childless because the presence of children would complicate their "experiment" (from the standpoint of viewers not liking the children to "suffer"). The first time I ever saw Anniversary, I was CERTAIN that the episode was heading toward Barbara announcing she was pregnant. I still think it would have made for a great ending, and Esmonde/Larbey did use a similar tactic in Ever Decreasing Circles to spur the main character (played once again by Briers) to "grow up".

Great thread, everyone!

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] smkurin 16 years ago

I found Tom annoying at times... and funny at times.

But who hasn't known that person who didn't want to grow up, yet didn't realize he/she was being immature (I have to say, I've mostly only known guys like this). That person who thinks them self very funny, even when others don't.

SK

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] dianem302 13 years ago

Late to the party, I fear, but I have to comment. I remember thinking Tom something of a jerk when I first saw the show. I heard Mr. Briers' comment the other night about not really liking the character, and I got to wondering why I eventually gave him a pass on it. I think it was Barbara. She obviously loved him very much, and I think I rather unconsciously decided that he must have some redeeming characteristics if she felt that way about him. For what it's worth, anyway...

[–] LoveMyLittleBunnyThumper 11 years ago

When I first watched it on my local PBS station back in 1987, I thought it was cute the way Tom and Barbara, especially Tom, acted like a couple of overgrown kids. Now when I watch it, I can see Tom as a little immature. But it's still one of my favorite British comedies.

[–] Owlwise 11 years ago

I've always thought Tom HAD to be a bit selfish in order to really pursue his dream. Not that he'd think of himself that way -- for him it was idealism -- but perhaps that touch of self-absorption & immaturity is preciely what enabled him to carry through on his plans. I imagine a lot of people might have had similar dreams, but were just a little too mature & practical to take the risk. So in a way, Tom's flaws were also his virtues, as far as fulfilling his dream was concerned. (Though those around him might not always have thought so.)

Of course, it didn't hurt to have a wonderfully loving & supportive wife like Barbara! :)