The Children's Hour (B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
Based on the 1934 play, 'The Children's Hour' (directed by the great William Wyler, who also filmed a 1936 version of this film) made an impact when it was written, when it was released on film, and still resonates today for its social impact. Audrey Hepburn plays Karen Wright, a young teacher at a rural primary school for girls who works alongside Martha Dobie (Shirley MacLaine), a good friend that she's known since their college days. Karen has a steady boyfriend (James Garner), a local OB/GYN who plans to marry her. Sounds nice, right? Well, it's not all right with Martha; who feels uncomfortable about her friend's engagement. But otherwise, their lives are pretty idyllic. The school is doing well. And they both love their jobs.
But the girls they teach are not as idyllic. In particular, Mary (Karen Balkin), contemptuous & prone to tantrums, longs for her wealthy grandmother, Mrs. Tilford (stellar Fay Bainter), to take her away. When Mary is caught in one of her typical lies, Karen punishes her. Livid, the mean-spirited girl takes her revenge by concocting a story about Karen & Martha being involved in an "unnatural" (lesbian) relationship - a tall tale based on fragments of an argument Mary's classmates overheard. She tells 'ole grandma that she observed the 2 female teachers kissing each other, & she immediately informs the other horrified parents, who quickly pull their daughters from the school; leaving Karen & Martha mystified about the sudden departures.
With their reputation destroyed, the 2 women do what they can to fight the scandalous allegations & to stand up to the prejudice they are greeted with; their only supporter seems to be Karen's fiancee. When Mrs. Tilford discovers that her granddaughter has been lying, she tries to make amends, but it is far, far too late. And then an even greater problem surfaces ... Martha comes to realize that she really IS in love with Karen. Suddenly, Martha is forced to confront new aspects of her emotions - as well as her own identity - that she has absolutely no idea how to deal with.
This was one of the first movies to present a lesbian as a major character and as an ordinary human being who might experience life & love like any other person. Simply put, while the film is fairly old-fashioned & straightforward in its depiction, I was floored that a film from 1961 would tackle this subject matter and do it intelligently, with feeling, and with as little melodrama as possible. William Wyler's direction is assured, without calling attention to itself. Alex North's unobtrusive musical score hits the right notes at the right time. The black-&-white cinematography is great (and Oscar-nommed); there are many scenes that are wonderfully composed so that each frame paints a thousand words: the stunner of a climax; and the final shots of Hepburn possess an undeniable power.
The relationship btwn. Karen & Martha is sensitively portrayed. A normally comedic Hepburn gets to show her dramatic chops; it suits her well. And Shirley MacLaine is remarkable - showing several shades of her soul (confusion about her sexuality, sadness over what it means, anger, feeling irreparably damaged). Martha is no more comfortable with homosexuality than Mrs. Tilford, but her 'fear' of homosexuality is internalized. Sadly, the plot for 'The Children's Hour' remains relevant today. Many people still believe homosexuality (lesbianism, in this case) is an abhorrent thing. And many still feel that lesbians are unsuitable in the teaching profession. This movie is timeless in its observations & portrayals. And it's also an example of the emotional upheaval that one little lie can cause.
But the girls they teach are not as idyllic. In particular, Mary (Karen Balkin), contemptuous & prone to tantrums, longs for her wealthy grandmother, Mrs. Tilford (stellar Fay Bainter), to take her away. When Mary is caught in one of her typical lies, Karen punishes her. Livid, the mean-spirited girl takes her revenge by concocting a story about Karen & Martha being involved in an "unnatural" (lesbian) relationship - a tall tale based on fragments of an argument Mary's classmates overheard. She tells 'ole grandma that she observed the 2 female teachers kissing each other, & she immediately informs the other horrified parents, who quickly pull their daughters from the school; leaving Karen & Martha mystified about the sudden departures.
With their reputation destroyed, the 2 women do what they can to fight the scandalous allegations & to stand up to the prejudice they are greeted with; their only supporter seems to be Karen's fiancee. When Mrs. Tilford discovers that her granddaughter has been lying, she tries to make amends, but it is far, far too late. And then an even greater problem surfaces ... Martha comes to realize that she really IS in love with Karen. Suddenly, Martha is forced to confront new aspects of her emotions - as well as her own identity - that she has absolutely no idea how to deal with.
This was one of the first movies to present a lesbian as a major character and as an ordinary human being who might experience life & love like any other person. Simply put, while the film is fairly old-fashioned & straightforward in its depiction, I was floored that a film from 1961 would tackle this subject matter and do it intelligently, with feeling, and with as little melodrama as possible. William Wyler's direction is assured, without calling attention to itself. Alex North's unobtrusive musical score hits the right notes at the right time. The black-&-white cinematography is great (and Oscar-nommed); there are many scenes that are wonderfully composed so that each frame paints a thousand words: the stunner of a climax; and the final shots of Hepburn possess an undeniable power.
The relationship btwn. Karen & Martha is sensitively portrayed. A normally comedic Hepburn gets to show her dramatic chops; it suits her well. And Shirley MacLaine is remarkable - showing several shades of her soul (confusion about her sexuality, sadness over what it means, anger, feeling irreparably damaged). Martha is no more comfortable with homosexuality than Mrs. Tilford, but her 'fear' of homosexuality is internalized. Sadly, the plot for 'The Children's Hour' remains relevant today. Many people still believe homosexuality (lesbianism, in this case) is an abhorrent thing. And many still feel that lesbians are unsuitable in the teaching profession. This movie is timeless in its observations & portrayals. And it's also an example of the emotional upheaval that one little lie can cause.