A recipe for happiness. I like such family films, where you can trace the fate of the characters, the change of their views, the maturation and maturity of generations, passing through the prism of time.
The title reflects my feelings about the film. Two people, the Gibbons, are really happy. This is especially well understood in the finale, when wise life experience, passed through difficult life situations, husband and wife leave their cozy house in London to move to a new place.
In many ways, the film was successful thanks to the performers of two main characters - Frank (R. Newton) and Ethel (S. Johnson) - the spouses of Gibbons. Frank is the captain of the family ship, who returned from the fields of the First World War, at the very beginning of the picture is young, cheerful and full of optimism. Newton performed remarkably well - lived the role. You can see how the character develops in front of the viewer - there is a collapse of hopes in his career, the death of his son, the shameful flight of one of his daughters, the impending threat of fascism ... The actor's play traces a gradual transition from a burning, tirelessly optimistic eyes to a philosophical, thoughtful look at their home, the Gibbons family ship. The gait becomes more and more calm over the years, the fatigue of the character is felt in the movements of the actor, the years are piling on their shoulders.
But if Frank had to lead his ship in the difficult circumstances of unemployment, crises, strikes, political turmoil that preceded the outbreak of World War II, then his wife, Ethel, proved to be his true assistant, a loyal companion, a wonderful mother and a person on whom he could rely unconditionally. The wordless and endlessly hardworking Ethel is always in place - she knows where you can and should insist on your own, and where - give in and listen to her husband.
The film has many very simple, but no less valuable lessons and rules of a happy life. And these simple truths come from Frank's mouth. From that I believe that he is the main actor, the expressor of ideas of happiness, correct views on life, on the upbringing of children. Ethel - his faithful wife - does not voice his rules and truths. She demonstrates them throughout the film - examples of tolerance and perseverance, understanding and kindness.
It's a beautiful smart movie. Calm and slow. A film that hides its recipe for happiness. And, like any recipe, someone will definitely like it.