Tea and Sympathy (1956)
“Years from now, when you talk about this, and you will, be kind.”
I’ll take Deborah Kerr’s famous line from Robert Anderson’s Tea and Sympathy into consideration while writing my review. My mom first showed me this film when I was in high school, raving about Deborah Kerr’s performance and hoping to show me why she was one of her favorite actresses. Everyone has different tastes, and while I didn’t end up liking the film, I will, hopefully, be kind.
First off, this is a film and play that can never be remade. If you’re a passionate gay rights activist, you will not like this movie. Rent A Song at Twilight instead. If you’re alright with an enormously dated subject matter and attitudes that have stayed in the history books with the 1950s, you’ll be in a better mindset to watch Tea and Sympathy. That being said, I actually have no problem with the story; I just know others in this day and age might, so I wanted to give a fair warning. Leif Erickson, P.E. teacher and coach, tirelessly torments John Kerr, alongside his students. John is unathletic and not the most masculine specimen to be found on campus. He’s sensitive and wants to be a writer, and because of the merciless teasing and verbal abuse, he’s learned to retreat in his shell and stay away from girls, lest that inspire more ridicule. The one person he can share his feelings with is Leif’s wife, Deborah Kerr—of no real-life relation. She continually argues with her husband, telling him that the hazing won’t “make a man” out of the poor young boy, and that instead, he should be treated with kindness and sympathy.
The actors give very heartfelt performances, and Robert Anderson has written a very sensitive script that shows both sides of the argument. While this script would never see the light of day if written today, it was a Broadway hit before being produced in Hollywood, with Deborah reprising her stage role. Considering the attitude of what it meant to be a “Man” in the 1950s, it’s a very remarkable and groundbreaking story, and it’s unfortunate that modern viewers might not be able to set aside their personal filters and appreciate the film for what it is. If you think you’ll be able to handle it, Tea and Sympathy is an important 1950s film to watch.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Meringue in Sugartown USA" for posting!
More Deborah Kerr movies here!
I’ll take Deborah Kerr’s famous line from Robert Anderson’s Tea and Sympathy into consideration while writing my review. My mom first showed me this film when I was in high school, raving about Deborah Kerr’s performance and hoping to show me why she was one of her favorite actresses. Everyone has different tastes, and while I didn’t end up liking the film, I will, hopefully, be kind.
First off, this is a film and play that can never be remade. If you’re a passionate gay rights activist, you will not like this movie. Rent A Song at Twilight instead. If you’re alright with an enormously dated subject matter and attitudes that have stayed in the history books with the 1950s, you’ll be in a better mindset to watch Tea and Sympathy. That being said, I actually have no problem with the story; I just know others in this day and age might, so I wanted to give a fair warning. Leif Erickson, P.E. teacher and coach, tirelessly torments John Kerr, alongside his students. John is unathletic and not the most masculine specimen to be found on campus. He’s sensitive and wants to be a writer, and because of the merciless teasing and verbal abuse, he’s learned to retreat in his shell and stay away from girls, lest that inspire more ridicule. The one person he can share his feelings with is Leif’s wife, Deborah Kerr—of no real-life relation. She continually argues with her husband, telling him that the hazing won’t “make a man” out of the poor young boy, and that instead, he should be treated with kindness and sympathy.
The actors give very heartfelt performances, and Robert Anderson has written a very sensitive script that shows both sides of the argument. While this script would never see the light of day if written today, it was a Broadway hit before being produced in Hollywood, with Deborah reprising her stage role. Considering the attitude of what it meant to be a “Man” in the 1950s, it’s a very remarkable and groundbreaking story, and it’s unfortunate that modern viewers might not be able to set aside their personal filters and appreciate the film for what it is. If you think you’ll be able to handle it, Tea and Sympathy is an important 1950s film to watch.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Meringue in Sugartown USA" for posting!
More Deborah Kerr movies here!
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Actress of 1956: Deborah Kerr
Best Actor: John Kerr
Best Dramatic Screenplay