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Lucky Jim [1957]
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Funny, but nothing like the novel
Review date: 2008-03-15 Rating: 6 out of 10
I sat down with great anticipation to watch this film. I was hoping for a 'Brideshead Revisited' experience, but it was more like 'Please Sir!' Lucky Jim is one of my all-time favourite books - and my kids' too. The film does not do justice to the book in any way; perhaps the time is right for someone to attempt a proper dramatisation of the book, with its subtle portrayal of character, its dry humour, its incomparable wit. Don't get me wrong, this film is funny; it has several genuine belly laughs, which is more than you get at the cinema these days, but it's mostly a slapstick, broad humour that is more Carry-On than the intellectual gymnastics of the original work . Ian Carmichael is surprisingly attractive in this film (he reminded me of Mike Myers!) -but again, not the Jim Dixon of Amis' novel. It is nostalgic to watch films made in the 1950s, and i would say - watch this film if you like old films. But for God's sake, don't expect the Lucky Jim you know and love.
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Reviews
Ooooooh, Lucky Jim!
Review date: 2007-09-20 Rating: 10 out of 10
Young university lecturer Jim Dixon (a brilliant performance from Ian Carmichael) is accident prone and sucks up to his departmental Head in order to get his contract extended. The Head (a wonderfully eccentric performance by Hugh Griffith) uses Dixon mercilessly, but Dixon's talent for messing up even the simplest of chores provides a highly entertaining sequence of chaotic results. There are so many hilarious bits in this film, including Dixon sharing a bottle of cherry brandy with a boxer dog (and the unfortunate results of this), as well as Dixon's inebriated lecture on "Merrie England". Terry-Thomas, as the head's pompous son, also gives a note-worthy performance. A great cast, a good story and a series of cringingly hilarious antics all make for good entertainment.
Good adaption of popular comic novel
Review date: 2007-08-31 Rating: 8 out of 10
This is a very solid version of the popular novel which helped introduce a new wave of slightly subversive novels, both funny and serious, to the public. Seems harmless now, but the idea of a university lecturer getting into all the low escapades that Jim Dixon got himself into was considered slightly risque back in the grey conservative 1950s. Carmichael was the obvious choice really to play hapless Jim, but others put in strong performances that give the film some depth, notably Terry-Thomas, who proves here he could play far deeper roles than just the one dimensional bounder he sadly became typecast as. Has a good rounded feel to it and is loyal to the novel in both plot, and in poking gentle fun at the air of stuffiness that then hung over academia, and generally over the whole of British life.
Classic British Comedy
Review date: 2006-01-08 Rating: 10 out of 10
Iam Carmichael plays a hapless teacher where everything goes wrong. A time when comedy was pure. Highly recommend it.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Ian Carmichael
Jean Anderson
Hugh Griffith
Sharon Acker
Terry-Thomas
Creators:
Ian Carmichael (Primary Contributor)
Terry-Thomas (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Cinema Club
Manufacturer: Cinema Club
EAN: 5014138300371
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Black & White, PAL,
Release date: 2004-08-09
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 91 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1957
Language: English (Original Language)