“Hatty” is a biographical melodrama of the BBC channel about the life of an unknown comedy actress Hattie Jacques. But despite this, this film looks like a love story that is easy to project on the relationship of many couples, regardless of their level of popularity or place of residence.
In the lead role starred actress Ruth Jones. Hetty in her performance turned out to be a sweet, warm, able to give her light to other people, but at the same time a rather lonely woman. She is not beautiful with the beauty that is promoted on the pages of glossy magazines, but there is something attractive in this heroine that makes others reach for her. Moreover, the film repeatedly emphasizes that Jacques is the favorite actress of the British nation, a role model.
At first, the paintings show us an idyllic picture of the happy family of Hattie Jacques and her husband John de Muserier (Robert Bafest) - also an actor, however, neither such a successful and beloved audience. The couple is surrounded by friends, they grow up two wonderful tomboys, they give Christmas dinners. Their family seems so perfect that husband and wife become hostages of this caramel-sweet image. The further we look at the characters, the more we realize that only the outer shell remains of this pastoral picture. And let friends and the public still call them "Hatty and John," without separating the couple from each other. At heart, the main character understands that the relationship has reached a dead end, turning from love to partner. Hetty loves and worries for her husband in her own way, but this is more a concern for a friend than for a lover.
Against this background, the film also plays on the theme of elusive youth and beauty. Unfortunately, the fate of withering external and physical befalls everyone, even very successful and in demand. Especially vivid in this light is the scene when under the weight of the main character jamms a winch, and Hetty is forced to hover above the stage, listening to the workers discuss the incident. The actress tries to meet an unpleasant situation with a smile, but sadness sees through this confused smile - time has quickly slipped away, there is much to return and not have time.
And then into the established life of Hattie breaks John Schofield (Aidan Turner). Turner plays him lost and lonely (his wife left him, the child died a year ago), on the other hand, he is ten years younger than the main character and therefore he has a lot of strength to go forward, despite the misfortunes that have occurred. Schofield is bright, handsome, temperamental, but most importantly, he seems to genuinely fall in love with Hetty. And Hetty, accepting this feeling, again feels like a beloved and desirable woman. Johnny compliments her, confesses his love and tries to raise his beloved self-esteem. This relationship fills the perception of the world with new colors Hetty.
Between the spouses Jacques/de Muserier and Schofield there is a notorious love triangle, the existence of which is complicated by the need to maintain at least the appearance of decency. After all, the British society may not forgive the beloved comedian of the nation sex scandal. The relationship between the parties becomes even more complicated and painful.
Probably, the theme of a love triangle will seem vulgar and beaten. But, thanks to the efforts of the writers and director, in this film she does not see it. The emphasis is made on the complexity of life circumstances that can fall on the lot of a person. The film tells us that life does not have ready-made and unambiguous recipes. In such circumstances, betrayal is not always the end of the family, and mutual love is not always the guarantee of inevitable happiness. Everything is much more complicated.
I was pleased not only with Ruth Jones, who played the lead role, but also with her partners in the film.
Robert Bafest played the role of Hattie's husband on such a level that you inevitably imbue with sympathy for his character. The actor managed to show all the wisdom and sincerity of his hero. Of course, in this story he is the main victim, but, nevertheless, it is de Muserier who takes the main action for the sake of his wife. True, all the subtle shades of this hero appear closer to the second half of the picture.
In the first, the interest of the audience (or rather, the audience) will certainly be focused on the hero of Aidan Turner. John Schofield is not just a lover/separator in the classical sense of these terms. Rather, it is a deeper and more tragic character who reaches out to the main character in search of warmth and participation. This is not Alphonse, hungry for money or fame for his elderly lover, but a man who wants to claim his rights to the woman he loves.
And this nuance does not allow the relationship described in the film to slide into vulgarity. All sides of the declared love triangle are loved and loved in their own way, but none of the characters finds in their love the comfort and ideal of happiness.
Summarizing all of the above, it can be noted that “Hatty” is a very warm, not sentimental and not vulgar story about the vicissitudes of the relationship. Play actors and good directing will allow any viewer to find in this story something important and close to themselves.
9 out of 10