The third directorial film by Ronald Niem “Trapper” is a rather close to the text adaptation of the novel of the same name by the English writer Arnold Bennet.
In the spotlight - Henry Machin, a resident of the industrial area "Five Cities", which all the truths and untruths go to success. And if his first steps along the way were just “untrue” – first forging grades on the school register, and then fraudulently manipulating invitation cards to an important secular reception, then in the future Henry tried to avoid illegal methods to achieve the goal.
It was the secular ball that laid the foundation for the future victories of the hero - the young clerk won a bet, inviting the seemingly inaccessible Countess to dance. This act earned Henry the reputation of "The Card" - a man who made himself talk. And the whole future life of the hero is a confirmation of the established reputation.
Rent collection, reporting, loans, loans, and even running a football club—all of which Henry did to earn not only money, but fame and respect. The young man achieved all this with resourcefulness, perseverance, agility and ambition, and the methods were used the most legitimate (not to be confused with dexterity and resourcefulness, which helped the Soviet trickster Ostap Bender in business). The most pleasant bonus to career success was the victory of Henry on the love front.
Thus, Ronald Niem’s “Trapper” is a fine example of the light comedy of the middle of the last century, a little naive and saturated with 1 kindness, which was characteristic of post-war films in Europe; with a thoughtful plot and excellent acting.
8 out of 10