The Family Way

NR 7.3
1966 1 hr 55 min Drama , Comedy , Romance

Young newlyweds Arthur and Jenny Fitton want nothing more than to get their marriage started on the right foot. But before they can depart for their honeymoon in Spain, they have to spend their first night together at the home of Arthur's parents. The couple are prevented from having any intimacy, but it only gets worse. They find out that their trip to Spain is canceled, which sets the tone for a rocky few weeks.

  • Cast:
    Hayley Mills , Hywel Bennett , John Mills , Marjorie Rhodes , Avril Angers , John Comer , Wilfred Pickles

Reviews

HeadlinesExotic
1966/12/18

Boring

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FuzzyTagz
1966/12/19

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

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Brendon Jones
1966/12/20

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

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Kinley
1966/12/21

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

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leedempsey
1966/12/22

This stands alongside "Its a wonderful life " as something sure to make any intelligent viewer laugh and weep with delight - which is no easy task for a hardened film fan and curmudgeon such as I. I cringe at sentimentality and so much formulaic drama but this sweeps you up, takes its time to draw you in with laughs from delightful performances and a genius script of delicate and succinct storytelling. We the audience, see all the pieces of a small puzzle fit together beautifully. By the end you will gasp with delight at the resolution. Ignore or enjoy the dated setting and period, - this film is not about England in the 1960s its about heart, family and genuine everyday love, with understated and underrated power. One of the greatest movies you have never heard of!!

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John Frame
1966/12/23

The Family Way gives an honest look into two generations of a working class family - each generation trying to live up to other's expectations. The sexuality of more than one male character is questioned and the way that topic is handled is what makes this film unique and memorable.Deep, beautifully performed, romantic, dramatic and very entertaining.

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samos
1966/12/24

I first saw 'The Family Way" when it was first released. I enjoyed it then. I found it funny and sad at the same time. My date thought it was rather boring.Thirty years later I saw it again on Cable-TV and I've even recorded it so I can share it with my wife (not the woman I dated way back when). I've read many of the comments made by previous posters and I agree withmost of them.It is a very funny and very moving story. The young couple have problems from the very start: the "prank" on their wedding night and the disappointment the day after. Having to live with his parents because they can't get a "flat" or anything else would tend to put a crimp in anyone's love life.The final confrontation and resolution between husband and wife is simply great. The addition of Beethoven at the end of that scene underscores the sense of victory over all the adversity. Benny Hill couldn't have done it any better and I think he did try...John Mills clearly steals any scene he's in, even from the newly weds. The final scene in the movie isn't to be missed. It's what he doesn't know that makes it soo good.At one time I had the novel based on the film, but it's long lost.The sound track, written by Paul McCarthy, is great. If only he'd written more like that...

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Zozimus
1966/12/25

Fear not, I am not going to reveal what I consider to be one of the best lines in all cinema, as spoken by John Mills in this English classic. I agree completely with jw-8's comments on this. Now everybody knows Rhett Butler's "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." That is not actually the last line in Gone With The Wind, and I am not going to risk being blacklisted for telling you the actual last line in The Family Way either. Just take it from me, if you get a chance to see this movie, give it a look. I see that it is billed here as a comedy, I think it would be much better labelled "drama".

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