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42 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Throughout the 1950s, a group of young British writers were referred to as "angry young men" because, in their novels and plays, they excoriated what they perceived to be the dominant materialistic values of their society following World War Two. They included playwrights John Osborne and Kingsley Amis and novelists John Braine, John Wain, and Alan Silitoe. This film is based on Braine's novel Room at the Top; Neil Patterson received an Academy Away for best adapted screenplay. Joe Lampton (Laurence Harvey) is the focal point. Driven by smoldering ambition to overcome his modest circumstances and deeply resentful of the wealthiest man in a North Country village (Brown, played by Donald Wolfit), he finally obtains a position in Brown's company and begins his difficult journey to "the top" while including marriage to Brown's daughter Susan (Heather Sears) among his ultimate objectives. Along the way, he meets an older but still attractive Frenchwoman, Alice Aisgill (Simone Signoret) with whom he has an affair. For Joe, it is a mere dalliance along his career path; she, however, falls in love with him. Beyond the passionate sex which she enjoys as much as he does, Alice also helps Joe to refine his social graces and increase his understanding and appreciation of the cultural arts. (Signoret received an Academy Award as best actress for her performance in this film.) Joe seems grateful for her contributions to his self-improvement but really has no long-term interest in her. He remains obsessed with reaching "the top" with wife Susan at his side, possessing great wealth, power, and prestige.
And then he learns from Susan that....
Alice is the most sympathetic character in the film, largely because Joe exploits her so callously. As for Brown, "what you see is what you get": a class-conscious, hard-driving, no-nonsense capitalist. Unlike Joe, no need for dissembling. Brown is at "the top" and (by God) he intends to remain there. Susan is of great importance to Joe (and to her father, of course) but is of little importance to the film's story line except as one of the ambitious goals which motivate Joe. He really cares little for her as a person, one way or the other. Were she in his own social class, Joe would probably have little to do with her...except, perhaps, for occasional sexual gratification (for himself). At least Alice offered more than sex...she offered unconditional love. Only at the end of the film does Joe begin to realize what he has gained by reaching "the top" and at what a cost. Both in the novel and in this film, Joe symbolizes just about everything which enraged Braine and other British writers.
Years later, in a brief excerpt from "The Paradox of Our Time," George Carlin observes that "We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years." He could well be describing Joe Lampton and countless others who seem to know the cost of everything but the value of nothing, who (in Socrates' words) live unexamined lives, in Thoreau's words "lives of quiet desperation."
Those who share my admiration of this film are urged to check out A Place in the Sun (1951), Look Back in Anger (1958), Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1961), and A Taste of Honey (also 1951).
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is one of the four great films of its period, illustrating the social and cultural conditions of the time. The others are : "A KInd of Loving"; "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning"; and "This Sporting Life".
Others of the same genre are : "Up the Junction" and "A Taste of Honey".
If you don't know these clasics, you have missed an experience - indeed, an education.
Others of the same genre are : "Up the Junction" and "A Taste of Honey".
If you don't know these clasics, you have missed an experience - indeed, an education.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
One of Laurence Harvey's best performances equally matched by Simone Signoret as his tragic lover Alice. The film was given an "18" rating when it was first released due the bedroom scenes, however, considering the material we are now shown on television, time has made this film seem very tame.
This film is a fine example of the British "kitchen sink" dramas so popular in the late 1950's. Joe Lampton arrives in Warnley to work in the accounts dept. for the local council. From the word "Go" he is resentful of anyone who has more money/status than he has and sets out in ruthless fashion to use anyone or anything to achieve his goal, which in this case is the daughter of the local industrial tycoon.
Enjoy!!
This film is a fine example of the British "kitchen sink" dramas so popular in the late 1950's. Joe Lampton arrives in Warnley to work in the accounts dept. for the local council. From the word "Go" he is resentful of anyone who has more money/status than he has and sets out in ruthless fashion to use anyone or anything to achieve his goal, which in this case is the daughter of the local industrial tycoon.
Enjoy!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Room at the top DVD
The dvd arrived on time and was securly packaged. The disc gave an excerlent showing with no problems.The film is a good quality almost true to life story of the 60s. Great.
Published 21 days ago by Davy
Oscar material, rightly
John Osborne's play Look back in anger is also a 1959 British film, directed by Tony Richardson, and often seen as a forerunner of the British Free Cinema; Jack Clayton's Room at... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dr René Codoni
Aside From Its Commanding Performances, Somewhat Dated
"Room at the Top," (1959) is considered a classic British film by many. It's a taut 115 minute black and white dramatic romance that is sometimes described as a kitchen sink... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Stephanie DePue
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
Laurence Harvey plays womaniser Joe Lampton, with big ambitions, who moves up north for a new job. He soon wants things that are out of bounds, in the shape of Alice Aisgill,... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Graham
1960's Macbeth
This film depicts very well the social, sexual and snobbish attitudes of its time, making one realise how much the world has changed. Read more
Published 13 months ago by NorthBrit
There's always room for "Room at the Top"
Room At The Top [1959] [DVD]
1950s Yorkshire forms the backdrop for this steamy, sexy black and white film which concerns itself with a deeply flawed, ultimately tragic, love... Read more
1950s Yorkshire forms the backdrop for this steamy, sexy black and white film which concerns itself with a deeply flawed, ultimately tragic, love... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Faydra
A powerful drama
A brooding, sizzling film of an angry young man trapped in class struggle that is blinded by his anger to notice the destruction caused by his own behaviour. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Sierra Ernesto Xavier
Room at the Top
Really interesting story. Well acted. Socially illuminating without brow-beating or tedium. Definitely a classic worthy of the title.
Published 24 months ago by Mrs. Suzanne R. O'shea
Room at the Top
I was only 15-16 when this first came out,but I did see it and even then thought it was great. It combines a romantic love story with just a hint of sex which is what made these... Read more
Published on 22 April 2010 by judith hurley
A Trend Setter for British Films During the 1950s
I have seen this film many times over the years and to this day remains one of my favourites dating from the 1950s. Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2010 by E. A. Redfearn
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