Joseph Andrews (C or 2/4 stars)
Director Tony Richardson re-enters Tom Jones territory with 'Joseph Andrews', a 1977 rollicking romp & farcical tale of a lust in 18th century England. Hoping to recreate the magic of his 1963 outing {Tom Jones}, Tony Richardson misses the mark, this time. Lady Booby alias "Belle" (Ann-Margret), the vivacious wife of the overweight squire Sir Thomas Booby (Peter Bull), lusts after attractive, whip smart villager, the titular Joseph Andrews (Peter Firth), a Latin pupil & protege of Parson Adams (Sir Michael Hordern), & makes him their footman. Joseph loves country girl, Fanny Goodwill (Natalie Ogle), but his masters take him on a trip to Bath, where high society comes to see-&-be seen. There, Sir Thomas accidentally drowns in the Roman baths.
When the non-grieving 'Lady Booby' discovers that Joseph's religious virtue & undying love for Fanny prevents her from making a sexual impression on him ... she fires him. On his long walk back home, he falls prey to some lowly highwaymen who rob him of all he has; even his clothes. He is found & nursed back to health by an innkeeper's maid - which stirs lusts in him - but he doesn't fall prey to her and, is found by the guileless, but good Parson Adams. Meanwhile, Lady Booby consents to her cousin marrying below-his-station when learning the fiancee is Joseph's own sister, Pamela (Karen Dotrice, of Mary Poppins fame). Parson Adams prevents an attempted rape by a squire, & barely evades a wicked man's unjust justice after being accused of said rape. To that, he comes to learn of a - ahem - noteworthy child theft by the gypsies. All the while, Parson Adams, Joseph & sweet Fanny again fall prey to the squire's debauchery. Drama ensues.
This movie just didn't do it, for me. As I said above, this is NO Tom Jones. Having said THAT, it's not like Tom Jones was my favorite film, either. But the level dip in quality btwn. these two motion pictures is significant. As appealing & pleasant as Peter Firth is as Joseph Andrews, he doesn't hold a candle to Albert Finney's depiction of Tom Jones. Ann-Marget, always a delight on the screen, was inexplicably nominated for a Golden Globe this year in the Supporting category, when she is a clear Lead. I liked Sir Michael Hordern as Parson. Other British luminaries such as the great Beryl Reid {as Mrs. Slipslop ... love that name}, Jim Dale, John Gielgud(!), Peggy Ashcroft(!), Hugh Griffith(!), Ronald Pickup, Penelope Wilton, Tim Piggot-Smith, Carol Drinkwater & others pop-up throughout.
The script by Allan Scott & Chris Bryant and screen story adapted by Tony Richardson are based on the 18th c. novel, The History & Adventures of Joseph Andrews, by Henry Fielding. I just don't think it was the most involving screenplay and, Richardson should have just stuck to directing; which he excels at. I don't want to make it sound like I loathed this movie; not at all. I enjoyed Michael Annals & Patrick Wheatley's award-worthy costumes. I liked David Watkin's glowing photography & also the lovely location spots where the movie was filmed. 'Joseph Andrews' has its moments and is mildly entertaining, but because of the stale, lackluster script, the whole things feels like old hat in the wake of Tom Jones. It is not its own thing.
When the non-grieving 'Lady Booby' discovers that Joseph's religious virtue & undying love for Fanny prevents her from making a sexual impression on him ... she fires him. On his long walk back home, he falls prey to some lowly highwaymen who rob him of all he has; even his clothes. He is found & nursed back to health by an innkeeper's maid - which stirs lusts in him - but he doesn't fall prey to her and, is found by the guileless, but good Parson Adams. Meanwhile, Lady Booby consents to her cousin marrying below-his-station when learning the fiancee is Joseph's own sister, Pamela (Karen Dotrice, of Mary Poppins fame). Parson Adams prevents an attempted rape by a squire, & barely evades a wicked man's unjust justice after being accused of said rape. To that, he comes to learn of a - ahem - noteworthy child theft by the gypsies. All the while, Parson Adams, Joseph & sweet Fanny again fall prey to the squire's debauchery. Drama ensues.
This movie just didn't do it, for me. As I said above, this is NO Tom Jones. Having said THAT, it's not like Tom Jones was my favorite film, either. But the level dip in quality btwn. these two motion pictures is significant. As appealing & pleasant as Peter Firth is as Joseph Andrews, he doesn't hold a candle to Albert Finney's depiction of Tom Jones. Ann-Marget, always a delight on the screen, was inexplicably nominated for a Golden Globe this year in the Supporting category, when she is a clear Lead. I liked Sir Michael Hordern as Parson. Other British luminaries such as the great Beryl Reid {as Mrs. Slipslop ... love that name}, Jim Dale, John Gielgud(!), Peggy Ashcroft(!), Hugh Griffith(!), Ronald Pickup, Penelope Wilton, Tim Piggot-Smith, Carol Drinkwater & others pop-up throughout.
The script by Allan Scott & Chris Bryant and screen story adapted by Tony Richardson are based on the 18th c. novel, The History & Adventures of Joseph Andrews, by Henry Fielding. I just don't think it was the most involving screenplay and, Richardson should have just stuck to directing; which he excels at. I don't want to make it sound like I loathed this movie; not at all. I enjoyed Michael Annals & Patrick Wheatley's award-worthy costumes. I liked David Watkin's glowing photography & also the lovely location spots where the movie was filmed. 'Joseph Andrews' has its moments and is mildly entertaining, but because of the stale, lackluster script, the whole things feels like old hat in the wake of Tom Jones. It is not its own thing.