Kind Hearts and Coronets

There's always a certain risk in approaching a 'golden oldie' that it will prove to be dated beyond anything that my feeble, modern mind can connect with. As I settled down to watch this recommendation from a well-established film aficionado, reviewed by him as "Britain's second best film, after Brief Encounter", a quick glance at the trailer had me in stitches. Was it the ever-so-perfect RP? The contrived looks of 'shock' and 'horror' on the actors' faces? Or even the fact the trailer goes on a little too long?

I dove in, and the rewards were nearly instantaneous. A young man, estranged from his rich, landed family, decides to get his own back by earning the dukedom by any means possible. He sets out to bring about the deaths of the 8 heirs to assure his own place in the nobility.

The performances were scintillating. First, Louis (Dennis Price), with his delusions of grandeur and calm exterior masking his murderous intentions. Then Sibella (Joan Greenwood), all dripping with allure and... massive hats. Or Edith (Valerie Hobson), pristine and glamorous in what must surely have appeared to be fashionable, modern dress (and I wish I could find a better image - this outfit was just dazzlingly chic). And of course, on hats and attire, it's worth noting the sartorial excellence of this film. As Louis gets closer to his prize, we see his clothing develop and smarten up, as his income and style seem to increase incrementally with his malicious intent. It's subtly managed but marvellous to watch. Perhaps I have a weakness to fashion of the period. I'd like to think it's just good taste though.

But of course, the show stealer, the centre piece and foil to Louis, is, of course, Alec Guinness. It would be unfair to say he shines in his role, because he doesn't have one. Or at least, he has more than one. Eight, in fact, as he plays every one of the heirs ahead of Louis in line for the dukedom. And he pulls it off with such glee that it is just a marvel to watch. Some of the characters get very little screen time, but others require no little characterisation, but it's done in such a well-thought-out and enjoyable way that you really can't fault him.

Enjoyment really lies at the key to why this film is so rewarding. The characters seem to sparkle, the plot twists and turns with intrigue and counter-intrigue, and the story-telling devices perfectly complement the nature of the tale. Accents and fashion combine to produce a coherent picture of this noble, failing family, and the love triangle that forms provides a perfect foil to Louis' murderous ambition (or ambitious murders?). Where the film is slightly dated (Sibella's simpering, or Louis' look of perplexity at the destruction of young Henry's dark room), it only adds to the humour of the film.

Darkly comic, thoroughly enjoyable and commendable, and a certain must see. The kind of film that placed Ealing Studios firmly on the map....

***

1949

Dennis Price, Joan Greenwood, Valerie Hobson, Alec Guinness (x 8!)

dir. Robert Hamer

adapted from Roy Horniman's novel by Robert Hamer.